Meridian

[Verse 1]
Let me tell you all about the place I’m from
Where the police tip their hats while they’re swingin’ their clubs
And the southern Mobile and Ohio cross lines
You best mind where you’re goin’
Watch what ya say
I’ll visit your Ma, but I ain’t gonna stay
In Meridian, in Meridian
Mmm

[Verse 2]
We’ve got creep joints and barbers
And fine pool halls
And here come the ladies in their parasols
And the boys in uniform just honk from the front
The girls sneak a puffed piggy and cigarettes
When I’m a star, I’ll buy them all so I have no regrets
About Meridian, Meridian
Mmm

[Verse 3]
You’d never know they’re all playin’ for keeps
But they close their doors when I’m on the street
Someday, they’ll parade me around
And like Sherman, I’ll burn ‘em down to the ground
Huh

[Verse 4]
If your daddy ain’t working in a firm downtown
And the Carnegie libraries are slowin’ ya down
You can work the railyards from birth to the [?]
But I’m a long shot, mama, but my arrow’s sound
Watch it fly to Orion before it come back down
In Meridian, in Meridian
Mmm

I’ll tell ya, man

[Verse 5]
I got a hats, spats, and starched shirt
And when you’re inclined
Put a little down now and a little more now and then
In Meridian, in Meridian
Mmm

[Verse 6]
I caught a show at the Opry by the alley door
Black Patty says to ‘Retta, [?]
And I wanted no car to my town anymore
We rode on a Pullman down to New Orleans
Laughin’ how them cultured sons-a-b****** sure is mean
In Meridian, in Meridian
Mmm

In Meridian, in Meridian
Oooh