In 1974 and 1975, she recorded for Avco Records, and, in 1981, recorded for Plantation Records, her most recent record label. Page's most recent single to appear on any Billboard chart was the 1982 #80 country single, "My Man Friday". (She last appeared on the pop chart in 1968, with her version of O.C. Smith's hit, "Little Green Apples", and on the Adult Contemporary chart with "Give Him Love" in 1971.)
Page made the country chart in up to 1983, with her biggest hit during that time being "Hello, We're Lonely," a 1973 #14 duet with Tom T. Hall.
In the 1990s, Page started her own label, C.A.F. Records. In 1998, she won a Grammy as "Best Traditional Pop Singer". Page continued to record into the new millenium with the CDs BRAND NEW TENNESSEE WALTZ, SWEET SOUNDS OF CHRISTMAS (2002), CHILD OF MINE (2003) and her last 2009 release BEST OF COUNTRY. Many of her songs have a strong beat to them that prelude rock 'n' roll. These titles include "Mister and Mississippi", "Detour" and "Cross Over the Bridge". In 1956, she married choreographer Charles O'Curran. They adopted two children, a daughter, Kathleen, and a son, Daniel O'Curran.
Mister And Mississippi
Patti Page Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I don't remember dad
Mister and Mississippi was all I ever had
Oh! I was born to wander
Oh! I was born to roam
And Mister and Mississippi
Made me feel at home.
I was born to roam
And Mister and Mississippi
Made me feel at home.
My cradle was the river
My school a river boat
My teacher was a gambler
The slickest one a float
My teacher was a gambler
The slickest one a float
He taught me not to gamble
On a petti coat.
Oh! I was born to wander
I was born to roam
And Mister and Mississippi
Made me feel at home.
Oh! Darling, how I love you
What more is there to say
I love you like a barefoot boy
Loves a summer day
The way a wand'ring gypsy
Loves the changing scenes
Just like the restless river
Loves old New Orleans.
Oh! I was born to wander
I was born to roam
And Mister and Mississippi
Made me feel at home.
I'd love a tiny village
A quiet country town
A house, a little garden
With kiddies running 'round
You'd be a faithful husband
I'd be a trusting friend
Until I heard that steamboat
Comin' 'round the bend.
Oh! I was born to wander
I was born to roam
And Mister and Mississippi
Made me feel at home.
The lyrics of Patti Page's song "Mister and Mississippi" reveal the story of a person who never had a stable home and lived a nomadic life. The singer is unable to recall their parents and instead talks about how the river and the riverboat were their cradle and school, respectively. The teacher who taught them was a gambler and advised them against gambling on a petticoat. The singer claims that they were born to wander and roam, but they found a sense of belonging with the river and the Mississippi.
The second half of the song touches on the singer's love for a person who they address as "Darling." The singer expresses their love in the most natural and straightforward way possible. They compare their love to the way a barefoot girl loves a summer day and the way a wanderin' gypsy loves the changing sea. The singer expresses their desire for a quiet life with a house, a little garden, and children running around. However, the singer acknowledges that they cannot quell their desire to roam and may depart as soon as they hear the steamboat approaching.
Overall, "Mister and Mississippi" is a poignant song that speaks to the restlessness that some people feel in their lives. The river and the Mississippi represent a place of solace and stability for the singer. Still, they acknowledge that the wanderlust within them is difficult to quell, making it hard to settle down.
Line by Line Meaning
I can't recall my mother
I have no memory of my mother
I don't remember dad
I have no memories of my father
Mister and Mississippi was all I ever had
The only constants in my life have been traveling and the Mississippi River
Oh, I was born to wander
I have an innate urge to travel
I was born to roam
I am meant to explore different places
And Mister and Mississippi made me feel at home
The river and my travels have become my sense of home
My cradle was the river
I was raised on a river boat
My school a river boat
I was educated on river boats
My teacher was a gambler
My mentor was a professional gambler
The slickest one afloat
He was one of the most successful gamblers on the river
He taught me not to gamble on a petticoat
He warned me not to trust women who may have ulterior motives
Oh, darlin' how I love you
I deeply care for you
What more is there to say
My feelings for you are beyond words
I love you like a barefoot girl
My love for you is pure and simple
Loves the summer day
Like a barefoot girl enjoying a beautiful summer day
The way a wanderin' gypsy
Like a nomadic gypsy
Loves the changing sea
Who loves the unpredictable nature of the sea
Just like the restless river
Just like the unpredictable, ever-moving river
Loves old New Orleans
Who loves the culture and history of New Orleans
I love a tiny village
I find small towns charming
A quiet country town
I prefer peaceful rural areas
A house, a little garden
I long for a permanent residence with a simple garden
With kiddies runnin' 'round
And children playing around the house
You'd be a faithful husband
I know you would be a loyal spouse
I'd be a trusty friend
And I would be a reliable friend to you
Until I heard that steamboat
Until the sound of a passing steamboat draws me back to traveling
Comin' 'round the bend
As it approaches around the river bend
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ED./ARR./ADPT BY: VARIOUS, IRVING GORDON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@robertfoster735
The last time I saw my Grandparents we were in a taxi and this was playing on the radio. That was about 72 years ago when I was 6 years old.. Never forgotten that day.
@tdunph4250
Beautiful woman. Her voice was even more beautiful. What a true talent she was. R.I.P
@richardfisher671
This is my favorite Patti Page song. I played it constantly on a 78 when I was a kid.
@mellhunter7587
She was a very beautiful singer, great songs she came out with. Miss this kind of music.
@dontaylor7315
I was either 5, 6 or 7 when this was released. It stuck in my head from then to now.
Correction: Just checked. I was 4.
@samretcommong4965
I love this song.
@zachary3590
A very early Nirvana style of rhythm.
@johndeau4665
1951. Las Animas, CO. Seven years old.