Highwater - For Charlie Patton Lyrics

Highwater risin', rising night and day

All the gold and silver are being stolen away
Big Joe Turner looking east and west from the dark room of his mind


He made it to Kansas City, Twelfth Street and Vine


Nothin' standing there
Highwater everywhere



Highwater rising the shacks are sliding down

Folks lose their possessions, the folks are leaving town

Reformation shook it, broke it, then she hung it on the wall

Say you dance with whom they tell you to or you don't dance at all

It's tough out there

Highwater everywhere



I got a cravin' love for blazin' speed

I got a hopped up Mustang Ford


Jump into the wagon, love

Throw your panties overboard
I can write you poems, make a strong man lose his mind
I'm no pig without a wig, I hope you treat me kind


Things are breakin' up out there
Highwater everywhere




Highwater rising, six inches above my head

Coffin's dropping in the street like balloons made out of clay
Water poured into Vicksburg, don't know what I'm gonna do


Don't reach out for me, she said, can't you see I'm drowning too

It's rough out there
Highwater everywhere




Well, George Lewis told the Englishman, the Italian and the Jew

You can't open up your mind, boys, to every conceivable point of view

They got Charles Darwin trapped out there on Highway 5

Judge says to the high sheriff, I want him dead or alive

Either one, I don't care

Highwater everywhere



Well, the cuckoo is a pretty bird, she warbles as she flies

I'm preachin' the word of God, I'm puttin' out your eyes
I asked Fat Nancy for someth'n' to eat, she said take it off the shelf


As great as you are man, you'll never be greater than yourself
I told her I didn't really care


Highwater everywhere




I get up in the mornin', I believe I'll dust my broom
Keepin' away from the women, I'm givin' them lots of room

Thunder rollin' over Clarksdale, everythin' a lookin' blue
I just can't be happy, love, unless you're happy too


It's bad out there

Highwater everywhere