Deep River Blues
Doc Watson Lyrics
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'Cause I got them deep river blues
Let that old river rise and fall and let the big waves make a wall
'Cause I got them deep river blues, alright son
My old gal's a good little pal, she walks just like a waterfall
When I get them deep river blues
Ain't no one to cry for me, the fish all go out on a spree
When I get them deep river blues
Give me back my old boat, I'm gonna sail if she'll float
Yes, I got them deep river blues
I'm goin' back to muscle shoals, time's getting better there I'm told
'Cause I got them deep river blues
Well, if my boat sinks with me, I'm gonna go down, don't you see
Yes, I got them deep river blues
And now I'm gonna say goodbye, if I sink then just let me die
'Cause I got them deep river blues, get them all
Let it rain, let it pour, let it rain a whole lot more
'Cause I got them deep river blues
And let that old river rise and fall, let them big waves make a wall
'Cause I got them deep river blues
Doc Watson's "Deep River Blues" is a song that reflects the heartache and sense of loss that the singer is experiencing as he navigates through a stormy period in his life. It's a melancholic tune that deals with the pain of loneliness and trying to move on from difficult situations. He begins the song by saying "let it rain, let it pour", expressing his acceptance of the tough times he's going through. He then starts to talk about his old gal, who happens to be a good friend and who he perceives as resembling a water fowl. He goes on to say that when he has "deep river blues", there's no one to cry for him, and the fish all go out on a spree.
He then sings about his desire to retrieve his old boat and sail, as he knows the times are better in Muscle Shoals. However, he acknowledges the risk that comes with it and says that if his boat sinks with him, he'll go down with it. In the final verse, the singer says his goodbyes, stating that if he sinks, he wants to die with the deep river blues. The song is a slow and melancholic tune that speaks to those going through a difficult period in their lives, reassuring them that things will get better with time.
Line by Line Meaning
Let it rain, let it pour, let it rain a whole lot more
I welcome the rain because it matches the melancholy of my heart.
'Cause I got them deep river blues
I'm feeling down and low, and the sound of the river only amplifies it.
Let the rain drive right on, let the waves sweep along
I don't want the rain to stop or the river to dry up because it reflects my current emotional state.
My old gal's a good old pal, and she looks like a water fowl
My partner is loyal and kind, but seeing her in this blue state just reminds me of the helplessness of my situation.
When I get them deep river blues
My inner turmoil is heightened near the river.
Ain't no one to cry for me, and the fish all go out on a spree
I feel lonely and forgotten, and even the fish seem to be having more fun than me.
Give me back my old boat, I'm gonna sail if she'll float
I yearn to escape, and the only way out seems to be by boat.
'Cause I got them deep river blues
My sadness persists even when I try to run away from it.
I'm goin' back to Muscle Shoals, times are better there I'm told
I'm hoping for a change of scenery and a fresh start, and I've heard that Muscle Shoals is a good place for that.
If my boat sinks with me, I'll go down, don't you see
I'm willing to take risks and face the consequences of my actions.
Now I'm gonna say goodbye, and if I sink, just let me die
I've made up my mind to leave, and I'm ready to face whatever fate awaits me.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: JOHN WILLIAM OATES
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@aarniksmd139
Let it rain, let it pour, let it rain a whole lot more
'Cause I got them deep river blues
Let the rain drive right on, let the waves sweep along
'Cause I got them deep river blues
My old gal's a good old pal, and she looks like a water fowl
When I get them deep river blues
Ain't no one to cry for me, and the fish all go out on a spree
When I get them deep river blues
Give me back my old boat, I'm gonna sail if she'll float
'Cause I got them deep river blues
I'm goin' back to Muscle Shoals, times are better there I'm told
'Cause I got them deep river blues
Let it rain, let it pour, let it rain a whole lot more
'Cause I got them deep river blues
Let the rain drive right on, let the waves sweep along
'Cause I got them deep river blues
If my boat sinks with me, I'll go down, don't you see
'Cause I got them deep river blues
Now I'm gonna say goodbye, and if I sink, just let me die
'Cause I got them deep river blues
Let it rain, let it pour, let it rain a whole lot more
'Cause I got them deep river blues
Let the rain drive right on, let the waves sweep along
'Cause I got them deep river blues
@amanrajtomar1632
Let it rain, let it pour, let it rain a whole lot more
'Cause I got them deep river blues
Let the rain drive right on, Let the waves sweep along
'Cause I got them deep river blues
My old gal's a good old pal, and she looks like a waterfowl
When I get them deep river blues
Ain't no one to cry for me, and the fish all go out on a spree
When I get them deep river blues
If my boat sinks with me, I'll go down, don't you see
'Cause I got them deep river blues
Now I'm gonna say goodbye, and if I sink, just let me die
'Cause I got them deep river blues
Give me back my old boat, I'm gonna sail if she'll float
'Cause I got them deep river blues
I'm goin' back to Muscle Shoals, times are better there I'm told
'Cause I got them deep river blues
@catfishfuku
I was in a children's home when I was younger and Doc would come every Christmas and play for us. I even got to sing with him a couple of times and never realized I was singing with a legend. RIP Doc.
@EliazMusicJuggling
That's crazy! Do you still sing now?
@catfishfuku
@@EliazMusicJuggling not much. Destroyed my vocal chords in the military and have never been really comfortable in front of crowds. But I have the memories.
@LouieGonzalezGolf
What a memory
@marshallkeyes2355
Thats freaking amazing to have a legend play for you...its unfortunate it was under shitty circumstances...but mad respect
@flapjackson6077
Wow! Now that’s a memory!
@JerryGoralnick-ne8bb
I saw Doc open for Commander Cody in Boston in 1974. His son Merle was getting tired of playing the country music with Dad and had his own rock band. Dad and Merle made a deal that Merle could bring his band along and play a set during their show. Doc came out and sat in with the band and played one of the most incredible rock leads I've ever heard.
@lordofthemound3890
Man, I wish there was some recordings of him playing electric. Makes sense though—when Doc was “discovered” he didn’t even own an acoustic guitar. He was playing electric in a dance band. He had to borrow an acoustic for those first recordings he did with Clarence Ashley.
@nathano87
Another true story about Doc: he refuses to receive disability checks from the government. He just says, "Send that money to someone who needs it more than me". Classy indeed!
@alpacamybag9103
This comment deserves way more likes than one every 14 years! Well said from a fellow Nathan