Elvis Presley

Released: June 17, 1969

Songwriter: John Hartford

Producer: Chips Moman Felton Jarvis

It's knowin' that your door is always open
And your path is free to walk, mmm
That makes me tend to keep my sleeping bag
Rolled up and stashed behind your couch

It's knowin' I'm not shackled
By forgotten words and bonds
And the ink stains that have dried upon some line

That keeps you in the backroads
By the rivers of my memory
That keeps you ever gentle on my mind

It's not clinging to the rocks and ivy
Planted on their columns now that bind me
Or something that somebody said
Because they thought we fit together walking
(Together walking)

It's just knowing that the world will not be cursing
Or forgiving
When I walk along some railroad track and find
That you're moving on the backroads
By the rivers of my memory
And for hours you're just gentle on my mind

Though the wheat fields and the clothes lines
And the junkyards and the highways come between us
(Between us)
And some other woman's cryin' to her mother
Cause she turned and I was gone

I still might run in silence, tears of joy might stain my face
And the summer sun might burn me 'til I'm blind
But not to where I cannot see you walkin' in the backroads
By the rivers flowing gentle on my mind

I dip my cup of soup back from a gurglin'
Crackin' caldron in some train yard
(Some train yard)
My beard a rustlin'
Cold towel, and a dirty hat
Pulled low across my face

Through cupped hands 'round the tin can
I pretend to hold you to my breast and find
That you're waitin' from the backroads
By the rivers of my memory
Ever smilin' ever gentle on my mind

Elvis Aaron Presley (January 8, 1935 – August 16, 1977) was an American performer that spanned all media—music, film, and historic live concerts—with a vehement passion that earned him the moniker, “The King of Rock and Roll.”

Elvis Presley was born in Tupelo, Mississippi to Gladys and Vernon Presley. At the age of 13, he moved with his family to Memphis, Tennessee. Elvis began to explore the blues scene prevalent in Memphis and the culture it encompassed.

In August 1953, he walked into Sun Records to record a song for his mother’s birthday. Manager of Sun Records Sam Phillips took note of his unique voice and persona, and invited Elvis back to the studio in July 1954, where he ultimately recorded his first true single, “That’s All Right,” with “Blue Moon of Kentucky” as the B-side.

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