Well I wanted to ramble ever since I was a kid
I'm gonna do just what my Daddy did
The world started closin' in on me
And I had to have a change of scenery

So I started out bumin' in Ohio,
Had my sights set on Mexico
It just ain't as easy to catch a ride
As it was before the L&N died

Gotta take a little time, think about where I'm goin'
Take a little time, to think about where I've been
Take a little time, to hear that whistle blowin'
Take a little time, be back home again

Well I spent a year in Memphis, just the other day
Haven't been the same since I let her slip away
When will I learn to let the women be
Let Ol'Memphis Red make a fool a-me

Well I went to the river to throw myself in,
Decided to call it off 'cause I can't swim
Started to throw myself before a locomotive train
Had to call it off on account a-rain

Gotta take a little time, think about where I'm goin'
Take a little time, to think about where I've been
Take a little time, to hear that whistle blowin'
Take a little time, be back home again

Well now what's the use in killin' me
It didn't hurt so bad now don't you see
The world ain't so bad after all>
That Ol'Memphis Red ain't gonna be my downfall

I gotta take a little time, think about where I'm goin'
Take a little time, to think about where I've been
Take a little time, to hear that whistle blowin'
Take a little time, be back home again

Take a little time, be back home again