(Blind Lemon Jefferson)
Backwater rising, Southern peoples can't make no time
I said, backwater rising, Southern peoples can't make no 
time
And I can't get no hearing from that Memphis girl of mine

Water in Arkansas, people screaming in Tennessee
Oh, people screaming in Tennessee
If I don't leave Memphis, backwater spill all over poor 
me

People, since its raining, it has been for nights and 
days
People, since its raining, has been for nights and days
Thousands people stands on the hill, looking down were 
they used to stay

Children stand there screaming: mama, we ain't got no 
home
Oh, mama we ain't got no home
Papa says to the children, "Backwater left us all alone"

Backwater rising, come in my windows and door
The backwater rising, come in my windows and door
I leave with a prayer in my heart, backwater won't rise 
no more