Lord, I'm going uptown 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 And I know they're gonna let me in When you see me walking up the empty yard With 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 'Cause Lord, I'm going uptown To the Harlem River to drown Dirty water gonna cover me over And I'm not gonna make a sound Good times come and they go Even a good man'll break He'll let his troubles bury him whole Even though he knows what's at stake So I'm taking no chances Carrying over while I'm still good in His grace And I'm no fool, mama, I know the difference Between tempting and choosing my fate So Lord, I'm going uptown To the Harlem River to drown Dirty water gonna cover me over And I'm not gonna make a sound Lord, I'm going uptown To the Harlem River to drown Dirty water gonna cover me over And I'm not gonna make a sound Lord, I'm going uptown To the Harlem River to drown Dirty water gonna cover me over And I'm not gonna make a sound