This song has always been the essence of Doc Watson for me. But is it a Doc Watson composition, or a traditional song adapted by Doc Watson?
From this video (click), I gather that he learned it from somebody else. But I can find no sources for the song that are older than Doc Watson.
There is no Traditional Ballad Index entry for this song. Here are the Digital Tradition lyrics - any corrections?
-Joe-

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DEEP RIVER BLUES

Let it rain, let it pour
Let it rain a whole lot more, cause
I got them deep river blues,
Let the rain drive right on
Let the waves sweep along, cause
I got them deep river blues.

My old gal's a good old pal,
And she looks like a water fowl, when
I get them deep river blues,
Ain't no one to cry for me,
And the fish all go out on a spree when
I get them deep river blues.

Give me back my old boat
I'm gonna sail if she'll float, cause
I got them deep river blues,
I'm goin' back to Mussel Shoals,
Times are better there I'm told, cause
I got them deep river blues.

Let it rain, let it pour
Let it rain a whole lot more, cause
I got them deep river blues,
Let the rain drive right on
Let the waves sweep along, cause
I got them deep river blues.

If my boat sinks with me
I'll go down, don't you see, cause
I got them deep river blues,
Now I'm gonna say good-bye
'N if I sink, just let me die, cause
I got them deep river blues.

Let it rain, let it pour
Let it rain a whole lot more, cause
I got them deep river blues,
Let the rain drive right on
Let the waves sweep along, cause
I got them deep river blues.

Recorded by Doc Watson
@blues @river @flood
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