MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2006 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Representative Ellis
A RESOLUTION COMMENDING MR. JAMES MONROE JOHNSON FOR HIS OUTSTANDING COMPOSITION OF AN ORIGINAL POEM ENTITLED, "I AM A MISSISSIPPIAN."
WHEREAS, Mr. James Monroe Johnson of Starkville, Mississippi, composed an extraordinary original poem entitled "I Am a Mississippian," which captures the essence and pride of the many wonderful aspects of this great state; and
WHEREAS, copyrighted August 6, 2004, "I Am a Mississippian" reads as follows:
"I am a Mississippian, born and bred
Cotton picked and corn-fed
Been 'round the world but back again
Chevrolet driven and democratic led
Most of my kinfolk
All up and gone
From the cotton fields and hay patches
That we used to call home
Everybody's talking about us
Being on the bottom
'Bout how we are always last
And forever forgotten
Many folk from here are ashamed
'Cause this where they're from
We all share shame for our past
And the obstacles we've overcome
We got B.B. King
The master of them blues
Then there's Elvis
And his blue suede shoes
Howling Wolf and Muddy Waters
And Little Milton too
Charley Pride and Faith Hill
Both country and blues
I'm tired of people asking me
Why I always come back
I never hesitate to tell them
This is where ya'll at
Mississippi is really unique
Our flowers grow so green
Our trees so naturally
Our hogs so lean
Our chickens so meaty
Our cows so fat
Our catfish so fishy
Our colored folk so black
Mississippi hasn't always been
The most favorite place to be
Nor ideal to visit
If you looked like me
But, I never hesitated
To really speak my mind
When people asked me where I'm from
I'd tell them every time
I'm from a small town
In the middle of a southern state
Not too many miles south of Memphis
Where fish still eat bait
Where waters are still muddied
And people go without shoes
Where chickens still lay eggs
And folk still grow food
Next to the heart of Dixie
Back to where I really belong
Yes, I am still a Mississippian
Because this is my home!"
WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to recognize outstanding and creative masters of literary works, such as Mr. James Monroe Johnson, who skillfully displays many of the brilliant aspects of this great state:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend Mr. James Monroe Johnson on his original work of authorship for the poem entitled "I Am a Mississippian" and wish him great success in all his future endeavors.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Mr. James Monroe Johnson and members of the Capitol Press Corps.