Black leaves on the Mississippi River
Black leaves in the Mississippi fire
Black leaves in the Mississippi choir
Black leaves on the Mississippi land

And we've got God and cotton
We've got sons and daughters
We've got grit and glory
We've got mama's stories
We've got strength like towers
We've got hope and power

God made woman with an iron hand
Raised her up on heaven's land
God made woman with an iron hand
Raised her up on heaven's land

With strength like towers
We've got hope and power
Got me woman with the iron head
Raised her up on heaven's bed