About The Song
“Roll On Mississippi” is a country song written by Kye Fleming and Dennis Morgan, recorded by Charley Pride. It was released in February 1981 as the second single and title track from Pride’s twenty-eighth studio album, Roll On Mississippi, which came out in March 1981 under RCA Records. The album was co-produced by Charley Pride and Jerry Bradley and recorded at Music City Music Hall studio in Nashville, Tennessee, primarily in December 1980.
Musically, “Roll On Mississippi” reflects the country pop style that Pride embraced in the late 1970s and early 1980s, combining traditional country instrumentation with string arrangements and smooth production. The song runs approximately 3 minutes and 33 seconds and features backing vocals from groups such as The Jordanaires and The Nashville Edition, along with string arrangements by The Shelly Kurland Strings and orchestration by Bergen White.
Lyrically, the song is a nostalgic tribute to the Mississippi River, evoking imagery of the river’s steady flow and its symbolic connection to home, heritage, and enduring strength. The lyrics convey a sense of longing and pride in the Southern roots that shaped the narrator’s identity, a theme that resonates with many country music listeners familiar with the American South.
“Roll On Mississippi” achieved commercial success, peaking at number 7 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart in the spring of 1981. It also reached number 2 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks chart, marking it as one of Pride’s notable hits during that period. The album Roll On Mississippi itself spent 17 weeks on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart, reaching a peak position of number 17 by May 1981.
Critical reception of the album was generally positive, with AllMusic awarding it three stars. The production quality and Pride’s vocal delivery were praised for maintaining his signature style while adapting to the more contemporary country pop sound of the early 1980s. The album includes other tracks written by songwriters frequently collaborated with Pride, such as John Schweers, Troy Seals, and Ben Peters.
Live performances of “Roll On Mississippi” have been documented, including a notable rendition on CabaRay Nashville where Pride performed the song accompanied by pianist Ray Stevens. The song remains a staple in Charley Pride’s catalog and is available on various digital platforms including Spotify and YouTube.
In summary, “Roll On Mississippi” is a 1981 country pop single by Charley Pride, written by Kye Fleming and Dennis Morgan. It serves as the title track of his twenty-eighth studio album and is recognized for its nostalgic lyrics about the Mississippi River, polished production, and commercial success on country music charts in both the U.S. and Canada. The song exemplifies Pride’s ability to blend traditional country themes with contemporary sounds during the later stage of his career.
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Lyric
Walking along, whistling a song
Barefoot and fancy free
A big riverboat, passing us by
She’s headed for New OrleansThere she goes, disappearing around the bend
Roll on Mississippi, you make me feel like a child againCool river breeze, like peppermint leaves
The taste of it takes me back
Chewin’ on a straw, torn overalls
Cane pole and old straw hatMuddy river, just like a long lost friend
Roll on Mississippi, you make me feel like a child againRoll on Mississippi, big river roll
You’re the childhood dream I grew up on
Roll on Mississippi, carry me home
Now I can see I’ve been away too long
Roll on, Mississippi, roll onWhen the world’s spinning round, too fast for me
I need a place to dream
So I come to your banks, I sit in your shade
And relive the memoriesTom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn
Roll on Mississippi, you make me feel like a child againRoll on Mississippi, big river roll
You’re the childhood dream I grew up on
Roll on Mississippi, carry me home
Now I can see I’ve been away too long
Roll on, Mississippi, roll onMississippi, roll on
Roll on, Mississippi, roll on
Roll on, Mississippi, roll on
Roll on, Mississippi, roll on