It's a hot night in Mississippi
Daddy held a shotgun in his hand
Mama cried for mercy, don't let those city boys take our land
Mama, the children are all starving
What are we gonna do this time?
I can see the fields still burning
Well, I can see them burning in your eyes

I can't take it no more, mama, they're gonna take this place
Leave us homeless and living in disgrace
Well, I gotta do it, there ain't no other way
That city banker's got a big price to pay
But we'll make it, we'll make it anyway
Mama, get daddy's gun, we're going to town
Ain't no banker gonna take our family down
Mama, get daddy's gun, we're going to town
Gonna shoot that banker, gonna shoot him down
My sister cried, daddy, where you going?
My daddy said, to ask the banker for some help
The banker laughed said, you're standing in my way

My daddy turned the gun on himself
Poverty drove my daddy to suicide
Poverty drove my daddy to his death
Left him broken down and feeling all alone
Now the banker says he knows what's best
Don't trust him, mama, he's just like all the rest
Mama, get daddy's gun, we're going to town
Ain't no banker gonna take our family down
Mama, get daddy's gun, we're going to town
Gonna shoot that banker, gonna shoot him down