Low down dealin' in Memphis a card game in a back room I was lookin' at my last dollar hopin' lady luck would come by soon They raised the betting limit the cards were flying fast I bet away my future I'd already lost my past
I can't go back to Memphis I can't go back to Memphis - I played out every game Can't go back to Memphis Can't go back to Memphis - Everybody knows my name Too many people wanna even out the score And I can't go back to Memphis no more
I hung out on the east side I heard my reputation was in doubt It was starting to look like a bad ride It looked like time for gettin' out I sent the man a message said I was gonna split He sent a message back that said I don't let nobody quit
I can't go back to Memphis I can't go back to Memphis - I played out every game Can't go back to Memphis Can't go back to Memphis - Everybody knows my name Too many people wanna even out the score And I can't go back to Memphis no more
I tried my best to beat the system but the system put me back in my place They maintained a delicate balance where no one got in nobody's face I tried to make a dollar just surviving in the streets I fought the gangs, I fought the law but they both had me beat
I can't go back to Memphis I can't go back to Memphis - I played out every game I can't go back to Memphis Can't go back to Memphis - Everybody knows my name Too many people wanna even out the score And I can't go back to Memphis no more
I can't go back to Memphis I can't go back to Memphis