Janis Ian — Memphis

[Verse 1] We were standing by the river Staring into town All the world was on his shoulders The tears were raining down All along the southern skyline City lights began to bloom He said—if you only knew her The way that I do, sir You would be crying too [Chorus] If you could see Memphis the way that I do She would look different to you Queen of the Delta, tip your tiara Memphis, the belle of the blues [Verse 2] Streets were filled with cotton And music filled the air All the paddle boats came rolling From east of everywhere Now the streets are filled with silence And songs no one can hear But her memory lingers It slips through my fingers And into this river of tears [Chorus] If you could see Memphis the way that I do She would look different to you Queen of the Delta, tip your tiara Memphis, the belle of the blues [Guitar Solo] [Bridge] So roll on—roll on My sweet magnolia, roll on How the memory lingers It slips through my fingers And into this river of tears [Chorus] If you could see Memphis the way that I do She would look different to you Queen of the Delta, tip your tiara Memphis, the belle of the blues Memphis, the belle of the blues