Back in Memphis she was a pearl   She was everyone's favorite girl   Now her eyes have a vacant stare   What she wouldn't give to be livin' back there      She married a man when she left home   She wanted someone she could call her own   He was good to her when he wasn't drunk   He'd hold her and tell her how pretty she looked      Back in Memphis where she grew up   The life she knew was just not enough   Back in Memphis when she was a girl   She thought one day she'd own the world      She'd look at the TV and magazines   And she'd believe all the pictures she'd seen   She'd be wearin' silk and perfume so sweet   But those things don't mean much out here on the street      Back in Memphis she had fun   Goin' around, tellin' everyone   She was gonna buy dresses that zip up the side   And wear red lipstick, have a nice car to drive      She bounces her baby on her knee   Sayin' maybe today we'll get lucky, you'll see   I promise it won't always be like this   Come here, sugar, give mamma a kiss      Back in Memphis another time   Didn't look like things would turn out fine   Back in Memphis when she was a girl   She thought one day she'd own the world   Back in Memphis she was a pearl