Muddy Water
Bessie Smith & Her Band Lyrics
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Headed homebound just once more
To my Mississippi delta home
Southland has that grand garden spot
Although you believe or not
I hear those breeze a-whispering:
"Come on back to me"
Muddy water 'round my feet
Just 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 see it is my home
Got my toes turned Dixie way
'Round the delta let me lay
My heart cries out for muddy water
The lyrics of "Muddy Water" by Bessie Smith & Her Band describe the singer's journey back home to the Mississippi delta, specifically the "grand garden spot" of the Southland. Despite the muddy water around her feet and in the street, she longs to be back in her home where the lowdown blues are playing and people live in ease and comfort. The singer has been away for a year, wandering and roaming, but she declares that her heart cries out for the muddy water and she wants to lay down in the delta.
The use of imagery in the lyrics gives a sense of nostalgia and longing for home. The mention of the Dixie moonlight, Swanee shore, and Mississippi delta conjures up romanticized visions of the South in the listener's mind. The repeated reference to the muddy water gives a realistic portrayal of the roughness of life in the delta, yet the singer still feels a deep emotional connection to her home.
Line by Line Meaning
Dixie moonlight, Swanee shore
The bright moon over Dixie and the nearby Swanee river set the scene for the singer's journey back home.
Headed homebound just once more
It's another trip home for the singer, who has traveled far and wide.
To my Mississippi delta home
The Mississippi delta holds the singer's heart and home, despite the muddy waters.
Southland has that grand garden spot
The Southland region holds a special place in the singer's heart and is a beautiful place.
Although you believe or not
The singer acknowledges that not everyone shares her view of the Southland region.
I hear those breeze a-whispering:
The singer can feel the wind gently nudging her back to her beloved muddy water.
"Come on back to me"
The wind seems to be calling out to the singer, urging her to return home.
Muddy water 'round my feet
The muddy water of the delta surrounds the singer's feet.
Muddy water in the street
The muddy water has flooded the nearby streets.
Just God don't shelter
The singer hopes that God will protect her from any harm caused by the flood.
Down on the delta
The flooding takes place in the Mississippi delta.
Muddy water in my shoes
The muddy water has seeped into the singer's shoes.
Reeling and rocking to them lowdown blues
Despite the flood, the singer finds herself moving to the rhythm of the blues.
They live in ease and comfort down there
People in the delta seem to be content with their lives despite the hardships they face.
I do declare
The singer emphasizes that what she says is true.
Been away a year today
It's been exactly one year since the singer left home.
To wander and roam
The singer has traveled far and wide in the past year.
I don't care it's muddy there
The singer doesn't mind the muddy water in the delta - it's still home to her.
But see it is my home
Despite its imperfections, the delta is where the singer truly belongs.
Got my toes turned Dixie way
The singer has already set her mind on heading back to Dixie.
'Round the delta let me lay
The singer wants nothing more than to lie down in the delta once again.
My heart cries out for muddy water
The singer's heart yearns for the muddy water of the delta - a place she truly calls home.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: HARRY RICHMAN, JO TRENT, PETER DE ROSE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind