Intro: Staring down the blacktop at a cold dark night, boys Pitch black sky there ain't a star in sight But I'm looking for a change I'm passing through Memphis in the rain Whitewashed buildings and old overgrown yards I've got one hand on the wheel, I've got one on my heart Looking for a girl without a name I'm passing through Memphis in the rain But no matter what I do, Lord, I can't stop Gotta keep that hammer to the floor baby Until I'm clear out of Arkansas, mama cause I know what they can do to me, Lord and I Won't let them make a fool out of me Things are starting to get strange Passing through Memphis in the rain Sometimes a man's just gotta know when to go He's gotta earn himself a keepin', baby He's gotta know when he's been beaten So I called a cousin down in Houston He said "come on down boy, we got work for you to be doing" I'm looking for a change Passing through Memphis in the rain Yeah things are startin' to get strange I'm passing through Memphis in the rain