Backwater rising, Southern peoples can't make no time I said, backwater rising, Southern peoples can't make no time And I can't get no hearing from that Memphis girl of mine Water in Arkansas, people screaming in Tennessee Oh, people screaming in Tennessee If I don't leave Memphis, backwater spill all over poor me People, since its raining, it has been for nights and days People, since its raining, has been for nights and days Thousands people stands on the hill, looking down were they used to stay Children stand there screaming "mama, we ain't got no home. Oh mama, we ain't got no home" Papa says to the children, "Backwater left us all alone" Backwater rising, come in my windows and door The backwater rising, come in my windows and door I leave with a prayer in my heart, backwater won't rise no more