You can hear this recording at the Internet Archive. It is recited (not sung) with piano and violin accompaniment.


THE TERRIBLE MISSISSIPPI FLOOD
(Ryder)
As recorded by Arthur Fields, Grey Gull (2334 (a)), 1927.

Down in the sunny south-land where the Mississippi flows,
The skies were fair and the people there were living in sweet repose
Till the father of the waters arose in angry might
And overflowed its muddy banks with an awe-inspiring spite.

The people were horror-stricken when they realized their plight,
And many were drowned without a chance of putting up a fight.
Thousands were forced to flee for their lives and their happy homes forsake
While the rushing water left its toll of destruction in its wake.

Here was a land where all was peace a few short hours before,
Turned into a land of horror who is(?) the angel of death at each door.
While the cruel waters were rising, thousands of men were on hand
Struggling in vain to build up the levees with millions of bags of sand.

A lot of men lost all they had, their homes and loved ones gone,
Till the hearts of a nation were beating for them as they tried to carry on.
Just picture the mother who lost her babe, perhaps her husband too.
Try and put yourself right in her place and imagine what you would do.

Think of the poor little boys and girls who are now left all alone,
Little orphans of Dixie land without the shelter of home.
Let's hope this great stream can be harnessed so its name won't be written in blood.
… the heart of the grieving survivors of the Mississippi flood