Mississippi (Outtake from 'Time Out Of Mind' Sessions, Version 2)

Every step of the way, we walk the line
Your days are numbered, so are mine
Time is piling up, we struggle and we scrap
All boxed in, nowhere to escape

The city's just a jungle, more games to play
But trapped in the heart of it, I'm tryin' to get away
I was raised in the country, I've been working in the town
I've been in trouble since I set my suitcase down

Ain't got nothing for you, I had nothing before
Don't even have anything for myself anymore
Skies full of fire, and the pain is pouring down
There's nothing you can sell me, I'll see you around

All my powers of expression and thoughts are so sublime
Could never do you justice in reason or rhyme
There's only one thing I did wrong
Stayed in Mississippi a day too long

The devil's in the alley, and the mule's kickin' in the stall
Say anything you wanna, I have heard it all
I was thinking about the things that Rosie said
I was dreaming I was sleeping in Rosie's bed

Walking through the leaves, falling from the trees
Feel like a stranger nobody sees
So many things we never will undo
I know you're sorry, I'm sorry too

Some people will offer you their hand and some won't
Last night I knew you, tonight I don't
I need something strong to distract my mind
I'm gonna look at you 'til my eyes go blind

Well, I got here following the southern star
I crossed that river just to be where you are
The only one thing I did wrong
Is stayin' in Mississippi a day too long

Well, my ship's been split to splinters, and it's sinking fast
I'm drowning in the poison, got no future, got no past
But my heart is not weary, it's alight and it's free
I got nothing but affection for those who sailed with me

Everybody moving, if they ain't already there
Everybody got to move somewhere
Stick with me baby, anyhow
Things should start to get interesting right about now

My clothes are wet, tight on my skin
Not as tight as the corner that I've painted myself in
I know that fortune is waiting to be kind
So give me your hand and say you'll be mine

The emptiness is endless, cold as the clay
You can always come back, but you can't come back all the way
There's only one thing I did wrong
Stayed in Mississippi a day too long