Rodney Crowell – Jewel of the South

JEWEL OF THE SOUTH

WRITER RODNEY CROWELL

One fine morning when the wild geese fly

I’m taking my chances on the sunny side

I’m headed down south where the grass grows tall

Where the mockingbirds singing and the whippoorwill calls

Spanish moss on the Natchez Trace gulf wind blowing wide across my face

French girls dancing to a big bang drum back down south where I come from

Where the river flows like warm molasses rain fogs up my reading glasses

Honey suckle strong enough to curl your hair back down there

One fine morning gonna pull up stakes

I’m gonna chalk it all up as just a bad mistake

Gonna hit the decks runnin’ bid a fond farewell

By the time I get to Memphis I’ll be outta my shell

Cottonfields just as white as snow sweet magnolia blossoms grow

Big moon shinin’ like an ice cream cone back down south where I belong

Where the river flows like milk and honey

The nights are slow and the eggs are runny

I wouldn’t mind sittin’ in a rocking chair back down there

Jewel of the south cross my heart shut my mouth

Come the morning I’ll be home in the sweet Delta dawn

One fine morning and it won’t be long

I’m leaving put early with my glad rags on

I’m gonna pull a load of wool off of my own two eyes

And sharpen my senses countin’ railroad ties

When the mile long trestle makes a clickity-clack

The whole dang town is gonna welcome me back

Ticket to the land of the sugar cane back down on the Ponchartrain

Where the river flows like a grand mariner

Sweet olive takes my breath away

Sunday morning walkin’ on the Jackson Square back down there

Jewel of the south cross my heart shut my mouth

Come the morning I’ll be home in the sweet Delta dawn

Come the morning I’ll be home in the sweet Delta dawn