I was always singing the way I felt, and maybe I didn't exactly know it, but I just didn't like the way things were down there-in Mississippi.

I got your strand of hair, I kiss it day and night.

If you got something you don't want other people to know, keep it in your pocket.

Now that I'm gettin old enough to get some money, I'd like to have some money. I don't get much made, I need to conquer a big chunk of money. Not quit playin but quit playin so hard.

The blacks have their parties, hustle a little liquor, get some things together, and I used to play for those peoples. They'd come get me on time, but they wouldn't bring me back on time... Done picked cotton all day, play all night long, then pick cotton all day the next day before I could get a chance to sleep.

Man, you don't know how I felt that afternoon when I heard that VOICE and it was my own VOICE.

He took my music, but he gave me my name.