Lord I'm going up town To the Harlem River to drown Dirty water gonna cover me over And I'm not gonna make a sound I'm on a roll, mama I gotta go Gotta get there while I still can Troubled days are behind me now I know they're gonna let me in So when you see me walking cross the FDR Just a singing and a clapping my hands Tell my mama I love her tell my father I tried Give my money to my baby to spend Lord I'm going up town To the Harlem River to drown Dirty water gonna cover me over I'm not gonna make a sound Good times come and they go Even a good man will break He'll let his troubles bury him whole Even though he knows what's at stake So I'm taking no chances, I'm carrying over While I'm still good in his grace Saying I'm no fool, mama, I know the difference Between tempting and choosing my fate Lord I'm going up town To the Harlem River to drown Dirty water gonna cover me over I'm not gonna make a sound I'm on a roll, mamma I gotta go Gotta get there while I still can Troubled days are behind me now I know they're gonna let me in So when you see me walking cross the FDR Just a singing and a clapping my hands Tell my mama I love her tell my father I tried Give my money to my baby to spend Lord I'm going up town To the Harlem River to drown Dirty water gonna cover me over I'm not gonna make a sound Lord I'm going up town To the Harlem River to drown Dirty water gonna cover me over I'm not gonna make a sound Lord I'm going up town To the Harlem River to drown Dirty water gonna cover me over I'm not gonna make a sound Dirty water gonna cover me over I'm not gonna make a sound