This song is from the 'Eat a Peach" album and the first song the band did without Duane Allman, who died four months before it was released. The lyrics: "Crossroads, will you ever let him go" is perhaps a reference to Robert Johnson, blues guitarist, who went to a crossroad and solded his soul to the devil.
Lyrics
Crossroads, seem to come and go, yeah
The gypsy flies from coast to coast
Knowing many, loving none
Bearing sorrow, having fun
But, back home he'll always run
To sweet Melissa
Mmm, hmm
Freight train, each car looks the same, all the same
And no one knows the gypsy's name
And no one hears his lonely sighs
There are no blankets where he lies
Lord, in his deepest dreams the gypsy flies
With sweet Melissa
Mm, hmm
Again, the mornin's come
Again, he's on the run
A sunbeam's shinin' through his hair
Fear not to have a care
Well, pick up your gear and gypsy roll on
Roll on
Crossroads, will you ever let him go?
Lord, Lord
Or will you hide the dead man's ghost?
Or will he lie, beneath the clay?
Or will his spirit float away?
But, I know that he won't stay
Without Melissa
Yes, I know that he won't stay, yeah
Without Melissa
Lord, Lord, it's all the same
Songwriters: Stephen Alaimo / Gregg Allman Melissa lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Probably my all time favorite Ballot by Gregg Allman. Great song!
Great Band of times!