It rained five days, the skies turned black at night.

It rained five days, the skies turned black at night.

And trouble takin' place, way down in the lowland at night.



I woke up this mornin', and I couldn't get out of my door.

Oh, help me, help me.  [spoken words – Lonnie Johnson]

I woke up this mornin', and I couldn't even get out of my door.

It was so much o' trouble, make a poor man wonder where he wants to go.



An' they rowed a little boat, about five miles across the pond.

An' they rowed a little boat, about five miles across the pond.

I packed up all o' my things an' throwed ‘em in, boys, and they rowed me along.



And I climbed upon, that high old lonely hill.

And I climbed upon, that high old lonely hill.

And looked down on the house, baby, where I used to live.



Back water blues, ‘caused me to pack my things and go.

Back water blues, ‘caused me to pack my things and go.

‘Cause my house fell down, and I can't live there anymore.



When it thundered an' it lightened, the rain begin to pour.

When it thundered an' it lightened, the wind begin to blow.

There were so many poor people, didn't have no place to go.