High Water (For Charley Patton)

Bob Dylan © 2001

(Official lyrics @ www.bobdylan.com)

"Love And Theft" sessions, Clinton Recording Studios NYC - 17.may.2001, take 1, album version  
Oakes Garden Theatre, Niagara Falls ON - 23.aug.2003  

High water risin', risin' night and day
All the gold and silver are being stolen away
Big Joe Turner lookin' east and west from the dark room of his mind
He made it to Kansas City, Twelfth Street and Vine
Nothin' standin' there
High water everywhere.

High water risin', the shacks are slidin' down
Folks lose their possessions, the folks are leavin' town
Bertha Mason shook it, broke it, then she hung it on the wall
Says, "You dance with whom they tell you to or you don't dance at all"
It's tough out there
High water 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
High water everywhere.

High water risin', six inches above my head
Coffin's droppin' in the street like balloons made out of lead
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 / Things are tough ] out there
High water 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 them dead or alive
Either one, I don't care."
High water 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 somethin' t' 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
High water everywhere.

I get up in the mornin', I believe I'll dust my broom
Keepin' away from the women, I'm givin' 'em lots of room
Thunder rollin' over Clarkesdale, everythin' a-lookin' blue
I just can't be happy, love, unless you're happy too
It's bad out there
High water everywhere. ;