If I had wings I would fly
Over the river and into the night
And if I had wheels I would roll
Ten years of dreams tethered to my soulWell, it's 59 miles to Memphis
Ain't really that far to go
With a little money in your pocket
It'll get you right down that roadBut all I got are these voices
Telling me this is your life
Tobacco fields, textile mills or
Be some roughneck's wifeIf I had wings I would fly
Over the river and into the night
And if I had wheels I would roll
Ten years of dreams tethered to my soul
And if I had wingsSo I get up every morning
And fix his coffee strong
Then he stumbles into the kitchen
Acting like nothing's wrongAnd that hurts worse than the bruises
But what cuts deeper still
Dark and jagged in my soul
An emptiness that killsIf I had wings I would fly
Over the river and into the night
And if I had wheels I would roll
Ten years of dreams tethered to my soul
And if I had wingsWell, I guess they must heard it
All the way to Arkansas
Momma said call the preacher
I just called the Lord'Cause this ain't no place for angels
No time for talk of sin
We all knew sooner or later
It was gonna be me or himIf I had wings I would fly
Over the river and into the night
And if I had wheels I would roll
Ten years of dreams tethered to my soulBut if I had wings