Mississippi Heavy Water Blues
Barbecue Bob Lyrics


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I was walking down the Levee with my head hanging low,

Looking for my sweet mama but she ain't here no more,

Thats why Im crying Mississippi heavy water blues.


Lord, Lord, Lord, Im so blue, my house got washed away,

And im crying "how long for another pay day",

Thats why im crying Mississippi heavy water blues.



Im sitting here looking, at all of this mud,

And my girl got washed away in that Mississippi flood,

Thats why im crying Mississippi heavy water blues.



I hope she come back, some day kind and true,

Ain't no one satisfy her like her sweet papa do,

Thats why im crying Mississippi heavy water blues.



I think I heard a moan, on the Arkansas side,

Crying how long before sweet mama arrive,

Thats why im crying Mississippi heavy water blues.



Im in Mississippi, with mud all in my shoes,

My girl in louisiana with those high water blues,

Thats why im crying Mississippi heavy water blues.



Spoken: Lord send me a sweet mama



Got plenty of muddy water, dont need no water cold,

I need some sweet mama to send me daddy love,

Thats why im crying Mississippi heavy water blues.



Nothing but muddy water, as far as I could see,

I need some sweet mama, come shake that thing with me,

Thats why im crying Mississippi heavy water blues.



Listen here you men, one more thing I'd like to say,

Ain't no womens out here, for they all got washed away

Thats why im crying Mississippi heavy water blues.



Lord, Lord, Lord,

Mississippi shakin',

Louisiana sinkin',

The whole towns a shrinkin',

Robert Hicks is Singin',

Thats why im crying Mississippi heavy water blues.







//I took these lyrics directly from the song, if there are any errors post a comment.

Overall Meaning

In Barbecue Bob's song "Mississippi Heavy Water Blues," the singer expresses a sense of loss and despair as result of the devastating floods that ravaged the Mississippi River region in the early 20th century. He begins by walking along the levee, searching for his "sweet mama," only to realize that she is gone. The repeated refrain of "Mississippi heavy water blues" serves as a lament for the destruction and hardship caused by the floods.


The singer's grief is amplified by the loss of his home, his girl, and his desire for another pay day. He hopes that his girl will return to him someday, acknowledging that no one can satisfy her like her "sweet papa." The floods have forced him to face the devastation around him and the scarcity of resources, conveying the need for a "sweet mama" to care for and comfort him. In the final verse, the singer acknowledges the fact that the floods have taken a toll on everyone, leaving a shortage of women for the men of the region.


Overall, "Mississippi Heavy Water Blues" offers a powerful and poignant portrayal of the struggles faced by those affected by the floods. The singer's sense of loss and despair is conveyed through emotive language and a mournful melody.


Line by Line Meaning

I was walking down the Levee with my head hanging low,
I was walking down the levee with a heavy heart and feeling down.


Looking for my sweet mama but she ain't here no more,
I'm searching for my lost love, but she's gone forever.


Thats why Im crying Mississippi heavy water blues.
My sadness is overwhelming, and the floods only make it worse.


Lord, Lord, Lord, Im so blue, my house got washed away,
I'm feeling very sad - my home has been destroyed by the flooding.


And im crying "how long for another pay day",
I'm worried about my financial future and when I'll be able to earn money again.


Im sitting here looking, at all of this mud,
I'm taking in the devastation of the floodwaters and feeling overwhelmed.


And my girl got washed away in that Mississippi flood,
My love has been taken by the floodwaters and lost forever.


I hope she come back, some day kind and true,
I remain hopeful that my love will one day return to me, still kind and faithful.


Ain't no one satisfy her like her sweet papa do,
I know that I was the only one who could truly make her happy.


Thats why im crying Mississippi heavy water blues.
Even as I try to find hope and humor in the situation, my sadness still weighs me down.


I think I heard a moan, on the Arkansas side,
I thought I heard a cry of pain and sorrow coming from the state of Arkansas.


Crying how long before sweet mama arrive,
They were calling out for their lost loves, just like I was.


Im in Mississippi, with mud all in my shoes,
I'm stuck in Mississippi, with nowhere to go and my feet full of mud.


My girl in louisiana with those high water blues,
My love is in Louisiana, with the same flooding problems I'm facing.


Thats why im crying Mississippi heavy water blues.
My sadness only grows as I see the depth of the destruction around me.


Got plenty of muddy water, dont need no water cold,
I have more than enough of muddy water - I don't want any more trouble coming my way.


I need some sweet mama to send me daddy love,
I require the love, care, and attention of a good partner to get through this hard time.


Thats why im crying Mississippi heavy water blues.
My need for a loving partner intensifies as the destruction continues around me.


Nothing but muddy water, as far as I could see,
The floodwaters seem endless in all directions.


I need some sweet mama, come shake that thing with me,
I crave a partner who is both loving and fun - someone who can dance with me and help me forget my troubles.


Thats why im crying Mississippi heavy water blues.
My need for my lost love, and for any love in this dire situation only grows stronger.


Listen here you men, one more thing I'd like to say,
I have a message for the other men in this situation.


Ain't no womens out here, for they all got washed away
There are no women left here, because they've all been lost to the floods.


Thats why im crying Mississippi heavy water blues.
My loneliness and isolation only grow more severe as I realize I'm the only one left without love.


Lord, Lord, Lord,
A repeated expression of longing, anguish, and desperation.


Mississippi shakin',
A reference to the devastation being caused by the floods.


Louisiana sinkin',
Another reference to the dangerous flooding throughout the region.


The whole towns a shrinkin',
An observation that the population of the area is shrinking as people are forced to abandon their homes and belongings.


Robert Hicks is Singin',
A reference to Barbecue Bob himself, who is using his music to express the pain and sadness he feels.


Thats why im crying Mississippi heavy water blues.
The floods and loss of love are the central themes of this song, and they are the source of the singer's deepest sorrow.




Contributed by Liam M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Comments from YouTube:

Mr. Lamar

Wicked powerful

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