Sound of boat whistle/horn during intro.

Hey, California, you don't know me.
New York City you can't show me,
Anything I haven't seen,
At least a hundred times before.
I still love you, New Orleans,
Mississippi River Queen.
'Cause when it comes to lovin',
You beat all I've ever seen.

And I've seen a lot of ladies in my time,
I've had me a few women that were fine.
Ah, but I don't need no city-woman,
Messing' with my mind.
So, goodbye, San Francisco-girl,
I'm leaving' you behind.

Hey, California, you don't know me.
New York City you can't show me,
Anything I haven't seen,
At least a hundred times before.
I still love you, New Orleans,
Mississippi River Queen.
'Cause when it comes to lovin',
You beat all I've ever seen.

And I've had some senoritas down in Mexico.
I met a few potatoes up in Idaho.
I've had peaches down in Georgia,
And that San Anton' Rose.
If the good Lord made any better than you,
He's the only one that knows.

Hey, California, you don't know me.
New York City you can't show me,
Anything I haven't seen,
At least a hundred times before.
I still love you, New Orleans,
Mississippi River Queen.
'Cause when it comes to lovin',
You beat all I've ever seen.

Hey, California, you don't know me.
Find more similar lyrics on http://mp3lyrics.com/H32New York City you can't show me,
Fade.
Anything I haven't seen,
At least a hundred times before.
I still love you, New Orleans,
Mississippi River Queen.
'Cause when it comes to lovin',
You beat all I've ever seen.

Hey, California...

MISSISSIPPI RIVER QUEEN
Written by: David Allan Coe
Performed by: David Allan Coe-19781
Appears on: Human Emotions-1978,23 Encore-1981 & Human
Emotions/Spectrum VII (Double CD)-1995.

1Background vocals by Carol Anderson and Mary Beth Anderson.

2Transcribed from the track on this album.

3In the liner notes for this album, Coe writes, "Dedicated to my wife...
Dear Wife, You left me taking our daughter and my dog. You left behind a
painting or two including the first painting you ever did... You will find
me as hard to forget as I have you, because I am everywhere... radio...
magazine... newspaper... TV... even the movies... No, my love, you will
never forget me. And I shall never forget either. That's Human Emotions.
Side one is songs I wrote before you left me ("Would You Lay with Me (in
a Field of Stone)," "If This Is Just a Game," "You Can Count on Me,"
"Mississippi River Queen" and "Tomorrow is Another Day"). Side two is songs
I wrote after you left. I decided to call side one 'Happy Side,' because I
was happy then. We had our new house, our daughter was in school, and you
were 'the happiest I've ever been in my life,' as you told my parents the
day before you drew all the money out of the bank and left... Side two is
called 'Su-i-cide.' The first three songs ("Human Emotions," "(She Finally
Crossed Over) Love's Cheating Line" and "Whiskey & Women") I wrote before
I knew who you were with and where you had gone. The last two songs ("Jack
Daniels If You Please" and "Suicide") I wrote when I got your 'notice of
divorce proceedings...' There's an empty feeling in my chest as I write
these words -- I love you. How silly it seems to say that now... Love,
David. PS: Give my love to our daughter." From all accounts this isn't
some stunt Coe tried for publicity or a joke. Most sources confirm the
veracity of the events and the letter.