Were you there when the man
From Atlanta was murdered in Memphis?
Did you see him layin' at the low rent hotel?
Did you hear them say that the CIA is witness
To the murder of a man at a motel in Memphis?

Motel in Memphis, motel in Memphis
Run and tell somebody there's blood on the riverside
Old muddy water rollin' through Memphis
If you were there you'd swear it was more than a man who died

Did you see Coretta?
She was sobbin' in the corner in a black veil
Did you see Mr. Crump in a white coat grin?
Did you walk down river where the cotton woods are swingin'
With ghostly bodies of man?

Motel in Memphis, motel in Memphis
Run and tell somebody there's blood on the riverside
Old muddy water rollin' through Memphis
If you were there you'd swear it was more than a man who died

Were you there with Mahalya wailin' at the funeral?
Did you watch them lower his casket in?
Did you tremble when you thought about the future
And cry out for a modern man?

Motel in Memphis, motel in Memphis
Run and tell somebody there's blood on the riverside
Old muddy water rollin' through Memphis
If you were there you'd swear it was more than a man who died