Back Water Blues (1965) Lyrics Meanings
by Lonnie Johnson

It rained five days, sky turned black at night.
It rained five days, sky turned black at night.
There's trouble takin' place, way down in the lowlands at night.

I woke up this mornin', I couldn't get out of my door.
I woke up this mornin', and I couldn't get out of my door.
There was so much of trouble, make a poor man wonder where he wants to go.

And they rowed a little boat, about five miles ‘cross the pond.
And they rowed a little boat, about five miles ‘cross the pond.
I packed up all my things and throwed them in, baby, then 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.

Well, it thundered and it lightened, and the rain begin to pour.
Well, it thundered and lightened, and the wind begin to blow.
There was so many poor people, didn't have no place to go.

Mmmmmm, baby, I can't move anymore.
Mmmmmm, baby, I can't move anymore.
‘Cause there ain't no place, that a poor, little man to go.