Here is the one recorded in New York City November 5, 1948

BACK WATER BLUES recorded New York City November 5, 1948

Bessie SMITH

Guitar intro

When it rains five days and the skies turn dark as night
When it rains five days and the skies turn dark as night
And the trouble's takin' place in the lowlands at night

I woke up this mornin', couldn't even get out of my door
I woke up this mornin', couldn't even get out of my door
Enough trouble to make a poor girl I wonder where she wants to go

They rowed a little boat about five miles 'cross the pond
They rowed a little boat about five miles 'cross the pond
I packed all my clothes, throwed them in and they rowed me along

It thundered and lighted and the wind begins to blow
It thundered and lighted and the wind begins to blow
There's thousands of women ain't got no place to go

I went and stood upon some high old lonesome hill
I went and stood upon some high old lonesome hill
I looked down on the old house were I used to live

Backwater1 blues has caused me to pack my things and go
Backwater blues has caused me to pack my things and go
'Cause my house fell down and I can't live there no more

Mmm, I can't move no more
Mmm, I can't move no more
And there ain't a place for a poor old girl to go

Yeah!
Guitar beak to end


And now the other recorded live at the UNIVERSITY of TEXAS June 1949
But the spoken part is missing
Hope it helps

BACK WATER BLUES (Recorded live University of Texas Austin June, 15, 1949)

(Bessie SMITH)

Spoken: ????

Guitar intro

It rains five days and the skies turn dark as night
When it rains five days and the skies turn dark as night
And the trouble's takin' place in the lowlands at night

I woke up this mornin', couldn't even get out of my do'
I woke up this mornin', couldn't even get out of my do'
Enough trouble to make a poor girl I wonder where she wants to go
Yeah!

Guitar break

I went and stood upon some high old lonesome hill
I went and stood upon some high old lonesome hill
I looked down on the old house were I used to live

Backwater blues done call me to pack my things and go
Backwater blues done call me to pack my things and go
Then my house went down and I can't live there no mo'