To Love The Language

I is just what I was And am ain't who I be To love the language You got to be born On the banks of the mississippi Ax' ya "x" what talks in tongues Say: "never mo' neither me" To love the language You got to be born On the banks of the mississippi Stayin by my mama's In slippers and pajamas Where there's always somethin good to eat Bettin strawberries Honey and cherries And pecan-pies oh so sweet With a dew-rag on my brow Jasmine, wysteria and fleur-de-lis To love the language You got to be born On the banks of the mississippi If you won't work fo' a livin And live life leisurely Pull up a screen po-ch Flop out in a rockin chair To love the language You got to be born On the banks of the mississippi