Broken Levee Blues

Broken Levee Blues - Lonnie Johnson

I wants to go back to Helena

The high waters got me bogged

I wants to go back to Helena

The high waters got me bogged

I woke up early this morning

A water hole in my back yard

They want me to work on the levee

I have to leave my home

They want to work on the levee

That I have to leave my home

I was so scared the levee might break

Out and I may drown

The water was round my windows

And backing all up in my door

The water was all up round my windows

And backing all up in my door

I'd rather to leave my home

Cause I can't live there no more

The police run me from Cairo

All through Arkansas

The police run me all from Cairo

All through Arkansas

And put me in jail

Behind those cold iron bars

The police say work fight or go to jail

I say I ain't toting no sack

Police say work fight or go to jail

I say I ain't toting no sack

And I ain't building no levee

The planks is on the ground

And I ain't driving no nails