Backwater risin', southern people can't make no time I said, backwater rising, southern people can't make no time And I can't get no hearing from that Memphis girl of mine Water all in Arkansas, people screamin' in Tennessee Ahhhhh, people screamin' in Tennessee If I don't leave Memphis, backwater spill all over poor me People say it is rainin', it have been for nights and days People say it is raining, have been for nights and days Thousand people stands on the hill lookin' down where they used to stay Children sadly pleading, "Mama, we ain't got no home" Ohhhhh, "Mama we ain't got no home" Papa says to his children, "Backwater have left us all alone" Backwater risin', comin' in my windows and doors A backwater risin', comin' in my windows and doors I leave with a prayer in my heart, "Backwater won't rise no more"