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