Muddy Water
Madeleine Peyroux Lyrics
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Headed homebound just once more
To my Mississippi delta home
Southland got that grand garden spot
Although you believe or not
I hear those trees a-whispering
"Come on back to me"
Muddy water 'round my feet
Muddy water in the street
No God don't shelter
Down on the delta
Muddy water in my shoes
Reeling and rocking to them lowdown blues
They live in ease and comfort down there
I do declare
Been away a year today
To wander and roam
I don't care it's muddy there
But this is my home
Got my toes turned Dixie way
'Round the delta let me lay
My heart cries out for muddy water
Been away a year today
To wander and roam
I don't care it's muddy there
But this is my home
Got my toes turned Dixie way
'Round the delta let me lay
My heart cries out for muddy water
The song "Muddy Water" by Madeleine Peyroux is written in the Southern blues style, with lyrics that paint a nostalgic picture of Mississippi Delta. The opening lines refer to the Dixie moonlight and Swanee shore, which evoke images of Southern nights and the Mississippi River. The singer is headed home after being away for a year, and expresses a longing for the Southland's grand garden spot.
As the singer gets closer to home, she hears the whispering trees calling her back to Mississippi. The repetition of the line "Come on back to me" reinforces the pull that the singer feels towards her homeland. However, as she returns, she finds muddy water around her feet and in the street, highlighting the poverty and hardships of the Delta.
Despite the challenges, the singer embraces the muddy water and lowdown blues, which now symbolize the comfort and ease of life down on the Delta. She acknowledges that she has been away for a year, but her heart still cries out for muddy water. The final lines of the song describe her longing to lay around the Delta, with her toes turned Dixie way.
Overall, the song "Muddy Water" is a poignant tribute to Mississippi Delta. The lyrics aim to capture the essence of the region, both its beauty and its struggles. It celebrates the richness of Southern culture and the strong pull of home.
Line by Line Meaning
Dixie moonlight Swanee shore
The singer is under Dixie moonlight on the shore of the Swanee River.
Headed homebound just once more
The singer is returning to their home in Mississippi, possibly for the last time.
To my Mississippi delta home
The singer is on their way to their home in the Mississippi Delta.
Southland got that grand garden spot
The southern region has a beautiful landscape.
Although you believe or not
Even if you don't believe it to be true.
I hear those trees a-whispering
The singer hears the trees urging them to return home.
"Come on back to me"
The trees are urging the singer to come back to the Mississippi Delta.
Muddy water 'round my feet
The artist is standing in water that is full of mud.
Muddy water in the street
The streets of the Mississippi Delta are also filled with muddy water.
No God don't shelter
Even God cannot shelter the residents of the Mississippi Delta from the muddy water.
Down on the delta
This problem is specific to the Mississippi Delta.
Muddy water in my shoes
The artist's shoes are also filled with muddy water.
Reeling and rocking to them lowdown blues
The singer is experiencing the pain and sadness of their situation through music.
They live in ease and comfort down there
The people living in the Mississippi Delta are used to this kind of situation and have learned to live with it.
I do declare
The singer is emphasizing their point in a formal and traditional way.
Been away a year today
The artist has been away from home for exactly one year.
To wander and roam
The artist has been traveling during their time away from home.
I don't care it's muddy there
The singer doesn't mind the mud in the Mississippi Delta.
But this is my home
The singer considers the Mississippi Delta to be their true home.
Got my toes turned Dixie way
The artist's feet are pointing towards the southern region.
'Round the delta let me lay
The artist wants to be laid to rest in the Mississippi Delta.
My heart cries out for muddy water
The artist's heart yearns for the Mississippi Delta, even if it means having to stand in muddy water.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, MUSIC SALES CORPORATION
Written by: HARRY RICHMAN, JO TRENT, PETER DEROSE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind