FLOOD WATER BLUES
As recorded by Lonnie Johnson; from "Lonnie Johnson Vol. 1, 1937-1940" (Document Records)

It's been snowin' forty days an' nights; lakes and rivers begin to freeze.
It's been snowin' forty days an' nights; rivers and lakes begin to freeze.
Some places through my old hometown, water's up above my knees.

Storm begin risin' and the sun begin sinkin' down. (2x)
I says: "Mother 'n' Dad, pack your trunk; we ain't safe here in this town."

When it lightnin', my mind gets frightened; my nerves begin weakenin' down.
When it lightnin', my mind get frightened; my nerves begin weakenin' down,
And the shack where we was livin' begin movin' 'roun'.

Women and children were screamin', sayin': "Mama, where must we go?"
Women and children were screamin', sayin': "Lord, where must we go?
The flood water have broke the levees, and we ain't safe here no mo'."

And begin cloud as dark as midnight keep raining all the time.
I say: "Oh, I wonder why the sun don't ever shine,
And the way it keeps rainin', it's drivin' me out my mind."