Bob Dylan

High water risin - risin night and day
All the gold and silver are being stolen away
Big Joe Turner lookin East and West
From the dark room of his mind
He made it to Kansas City
Twelfth Street and Vine
Nothing standing there
High water everywhere
High water risin, the shacks are slidin down
Folks lose their possessions - folks are leaving town
Bertha Mason shook it - broke it
Then she hung it on a wall
Says, "Youre dancin with whom they tell you to
Or you dont dance at all."
Its tough out there
High water everywhere
I got a cravin love for blazing speed
Got a hopped up Mustang Ford
Jump into the wagon, love, throw your panties overboard
I can write you poems, make a strong man lose his mind
Im no pig without a wig
I hope you treat me kind
Things are breakin up out there
High water everywhere
High water risin, six inches bove my head
Coffins droppin in the street
Like balloons made out of lead
Water pourin into Vicksburg, dont know what Im going to do
"Dont reach out for me," she said
"Cant you see Im drownin too?"
Its rough out there
High water everywhere
Well, George Lewis told the Englishman, the Italian and the Jew
"You cant open your mind, boys
To every conceivable point of view."
They got Charles Darwin trapped out there on Highway Five
Judge says to the High Sheriff,
"I want him dead or alive
Either one, I dont care."
High Water everywhere
The Cuckoo is a pretty bird, she warbles as she flies
Im preachin the Word of God
Im puttin out your eyes
I asked Fat Nancy for something to eat, she said, "Take it off the shelf -
As great as you are a man,
Youll never be greater than yourself."
I told her I didnt really care
High water everywhere
Im getting up in the morning - I believe Ill dust my broom
Keeping away from the women
Im givin em lots of room
Thunder rolling over Clarksdale, everything is looking blue
I just cant be happy, love
Unless youre happy too
Its bad out there
High water everywhere
[ High Water (for Charley Patton) Lyrics ]