Born to poor sharecroppers, one of eleven children in Sledge, Mississippi, Pride is a timeless everyman, revered by his musical peers and adored by countless millions of fans around the globe. Charley Pride unofficially started his music career in the late 1950s as a ballplayer with the Negro American League’s Memphis Red Sox singing and playing guitar on the team bus between ballparks. Self-taught on a guitar bought at the age 14 from Sears Roebuck, Pride would join various bands' onstage as he and the team roved the country. After a tryout with the New York Mets, Pride decided to return to his Montana home via Nashville. It was there he met Jack Johnson, who upon hearing the singer perform, sent him on his way with the promise of a management contract and a newly forged relationship that would last for over a decade.
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When we were young along the Mississippi life was never lonely way back then
We'd need each other down along the dirt road
And go for walk so along the river bend
I bought some ground along the Mississippi and told you of my plans that lay ahead
But you were dreaming all about big city and far off places in the books you read
Now when leaves fall down along the Mississippi I look back north into the chilly wind
I wait and watch for you along the dirt road and wonder if you're coming back again
I built a house along the Mississippi and longing for the day when we would wed
I waited for you down along the dirt road but far off places won your heart instead
Now when leaves fall down ...
And wonder if you're coming back again