Broken Levee Blues (1928)

I wants to go back to Helena, the high waters got me bogged.
I wants to go back to Helena, the high waters got me bogged.
I woke up early this mornin', a water hole in my back yard.

They want me to work on the levee, I have to leave my home.
They want to work on the levee, that I have to leave my home.
I was so scared the levee might break out and I may drown.

The water was round my windows and backin' all up in my door.
The water was all up ‘round my windows and backin' all up in my door.
I'd rather to leave my home ‘cause I can't live there no more.

The police run me all from Cairo, all through Arkansas.
The police run me all from Cairo, all through Arkansas.
And put me in jail, behind those cold iron bars.

The police say work, fight, or go to jail, I say I ain't totin' no sack.
Police say work, fight, or go to jail, I say I ain't totin' no sack.
And I ain't buildin' no levee, the planks is on the ground and I ain't drivin' no nails.