RISING WATER BLUES
Written by George Perkins (credited on record label)
As recorded by Blind Lemon Jefferson, 1927-05-01.

Back water risin'; southern people can't make no time.
I said, back water risin'; southern people can't make no time.
And I can't get no hearing from that Memphis girl of mine.

Water all in Arkansas; people screamin' in Tennessee.
Ohhh, people screamin' in Tennessee.
If I don't leave Memphis, back water been all over poor me.

Paper states it's rainin'; it has been for nights and days.
Paper states it's raining; has been for nights and days.
Thousand people stands on the hill, lookin' down where they used to stay.

Children sadly pleading, "Mama, we ain't got no home.
Ohhh, mama, we ain't got no home."
Papa says to children, "Back water left us all alone."

Back water risin'; come in my windows and doors. (2x)
I leave with a prayer in my heart, back water won't rise no more.


The title is sometimes given as RISING HIGH WATER BLUES