Backwater risin', southern people can't make no time
I said, backwater rising, southern people can't make no time
And I can't get no hearing from that Memphis girl of mine
Water all in Arkansas, people screamin' in Tennessee
Ahhhhh, people screamin' in Tennessee
If I don't leave Memphis, backwater spill all over poor me
People say it is rainin', it have been for nights and days
People say it is raining, have been for nights and days
Thousand people stands on the hill lookin' down where they used to stay
Children sadly pleading, "Mama, we ain't got no home"
Ohhhhh, "Mama we ain't got no home"
Papa says to his children, "Backwater have left us all alone"
Backwater risin', comin' in my windows and doors
A backwater risin', comin' in my windows and doors
I leave with a prayer in my heart, "Backwater won't rise no more"