When the Levee Breaks
Memphis Minnie Lyrics


If it keeps on rainin', levee's goin' to break
If it keeps on rainin', levee's goin' to break
And the water gonna come in, have no place to stay

Well all last night I sat on the levee and moan
Well all last night I sat on the levee and moan
Thinkin' 'bout my baby and my happy home

If it keeps on rainin', levee's goin' to break
If it keeps on rainin', levee's goin' to break
And all these people have no place to stay

Now look here mama what am I to do
Now look here mama what am I to do
I ain't got nobody to tell my troubles to

I works on the levee mama both night and day
I works on the levee mama both night and day
I ain't got nobody, keep the water away

Oh cryin' won't help you, prayin' won't do no good
Oh cryin' won't help you, prayin' won't do no good
When the levee breaks, mama, you got to lose

I works on the levee, mama both night and day
I works on the levee, mama both night and day
I works so hard, to keep the water away

I had a woman, she wouldn't do for me
I had a woman, she wouldn't do for me
I'm goin' back to my used to be

I's a mean old levee, cause me to weep and moan
I's a mean old levee, cause me to weep and moan
Gonna leave my baby, and my happy home

Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Joe McCoy

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

kenneth nesmith

This is one song of many rising out of the flood of 1927. Considered as the worst in modern US history. There are reports about in Arkansas Mississippi river areas where entire African American families were forced to reside on levees 24 hrs a day , 7 days a week to maintain the levee and keep it from failing. If they failed these people would not only lose their life , but the lives of their entire family. Man's inhumanity to man has no bounds.


More songs arising from the flood of 1927


Backwater Blues : Bessie Smith
Heavy Water blues : Barbecue Bob
High Water Everywhere : Charlie Patton



dork optimus rex

IN ASSEMBLY
(Prefiled)
January 6, 2021
_________
Introduced by M. of A. PERRY -- read once and referred to the Committee
on Health
AN ACT to amend the public health law, in relation to the removal of
cases, contacts and carriers of communicable diseases who are poten-
tially dangerous to the public health
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assem-
bly, do enact as follows:
1 Section 1. The public health law is amended by adding a new section
2 2120-a to read as follows:
3 § 2120-a. Removal and detention of cases, contacts and carriers who
4 are or may be a danger to public health; other orders. 1. The provisions
5 of this section shall be utilized in the event that the governor
6 declares a state of health emergency due to an epidemic of any communi-
7 cable disease.
8 2. Upon determining by clear and convincing evidence that the health
9 of others is or may be endangered by a case, contact or carrier, or
10 suspected case, contact or carrier of a contagious disease that, in the
11 opinion of the governor, after consultation with the commissioner, may
12 pose an imminent and significant threat to the public health resulting
13 in severe morbidity or high mortality, the governor or his or her dele-
14 gee, including, but not limited to the commissioner or the heads of
15 local health departments, may order the removal and/or detention of such
16 a person or of a group of such persons by issuing a single order, iden-
17 tifying such persons either by name or by a reasonably specific
18 description of the individuals or group being detained. Such person or
19 group of persons shall be detained in a medical facility or other appro-
20 priate facility or premises designated by the governor or his or l



David Mc

@Crash 77 I can't find reference to that.
But you're right. Speaking of right. I'm trying to recall the left clawed gal. Mhh.
Played, "I wish that old woman would die?"
She did! So did Mississippi John Hurt😊

My other reply disappeared. Came back because I misspelled Elizabeth Cotten's name. It aunty no lie, Rey reminds me of mom!! Cotten-Picken😆 left taught lefty. Played her brother's guitar upside down. And always did. Wow. I'll try to link in another.
Don't have time to expiriment!

Minnie's so freaking good. We're not worthy!

Yeah. Separate link worked!
Wring title. Not politically correct.
Even then. Well, for a Black woman 😢



All comments from YouTube:

jamesdeansghost55

Died broke, sick and forgotten in a Memphis nursing home in 1973. Laid in an unmarked grave for twenty-three years until Bonnie Raitt bought a headstone for her grave in 1996...God love Bonnie Raitt!!, a true respecter of the blues.

George Fina

Janis passed in 71 and Minnie in 73...Bonnie got it....

George Fina

@Kathryn Ellicott can't be. Janis died in 1971....Minnie in 1973...

Choossuck

@Quinn W. Johnson wasn't zep. Most definitely was the 👃

OldNatty

That's sad to me. So many greats go that way. God bless Bonnie Raitt! She's everywhere (and pretty hot I must say, but I'm a sucker for gals w/ red hair, and/or can sing. Double whammy!). That's not the only headstone she bought. What a nice and fitting idea. Honor the originals, especially if it was a hit for you. You'd think the boys would kick a little something in? Maybe they did? I hope they did.

47 More Replies...

Ray Gamino

I was this old today (54 years old Oct. 16, 2022) when I found out this isn’t Led Zeppelin’s song. I didn’t know for all these years. This one of my favorite Led Zeppelin songs. Thank You Memphis Minnie for writing it and recording it. Thanks to the members of Led Zeppelin for realizing what a great song it is and putting your sound to it. Also to Bonnie Raitt for recognizing Minnie. Minnie if you read this just know 100 years later your song is still kicking ass over the air waves and in our hearts and soul. Thank You Miss Minnie. 🎼

Sticky Kitty

My favourite led zeppelin song ❤

Sparky Bonehead

Now.....go ask Robert Plant where 'Boogie with Stu" came from.

Keith Roberts

Thank God for the creative genius of Bob Dylan so Jimi could have something to cover!

Kermit Mawyer

@lgngrrtt Yea we know thank God for Jimi

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