High Water (For Charley Patton)
Bob Dylan
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High water risin', risin' night and day All the gold and silver are being stolen away Big Joe Turner lookin' East and West From the dark room of his mind He made it to Kansas City Twelfth Street and Vine Nothing standing there High water everywhere High water risin', the shacks are slidin' down Folks lose their possessions and folks are leaving town Bertha Mason shook, it broke it Then she hung it on a wall Says, "You're dancin' with whom they tell you to Or you don't dance at all" It's tough out there High water everywhere I got a cravin' love for blazing speed got a hopped up Mustang Ford Jump into the wagon, love, throw your panties overboard I can write you poems, make a strong man lose his mind I'm no pig without a wig I hope you treat me kind Things are breakin' up out there High water everywhere High water risin', six inches 'bove my head Coffins droppin' in the street Like balloons made out of lead Water pourin' into Vicksburg, don't know what I'm going to do "Don't reach out for me," she said "Can't you see I'm drownin' too?" It's rough out there High water everywhere Well, George Lewis told the Englishman, the Italian and the Jew "You can't open your mind, boys To every conceivable point of view" They got Charles Darwin trapped out there on Highway Five Judge says to the High Sheriff "I want him dead or alive Either one, I don't care" High Water everywhere Well, the cuckoo is a pretty bird, she warbles as she flies I'm preachin' the word of God I'm puttin' out your eyes I asked Fat Nancy for something to eat, she said, "Take it off the shelf As great as you are a man, You'll never be greater than yourself" I told her I didn't really care High water everywhere I'm getting' up in the morning I believe I'll dust my broom Keeping away from the women I'm givin' 'em lots of room Thunder rolling over Clarksdale, everything is looking blue I just can't be happy, love Unless you're happy too It's bad out there High water everywhere
The easy, fast & fun way to learn how to sing: 30DaySinger.com
Written by: BOB DYLAN
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
13 facts about this song
Album Inclusion"High Water (For Charley Patton)" is a song by the acclaimed musician Bob Dylan, which features as the seventh track on his 31st studio album "Love and Theft," released in 2001.
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Musical StyleThe song is characterized as folk-blues, showcasing Dylan's adeptness at blending the two genres.
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InstrumentationAn iconic banjo riff, courtesy of Larry Campbell, guides the melody throughout the song, giving it a distinctive sound.
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Charley PattonThe song's title refers to Charley Patton, a pioneering Delta blues musician from Mississippi whom Dylan greatly admired. Patton's influence on the song is apparent, primarily through the musical style and lyrical allusions to Southern life and history.
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ThemeThe song explores themes of impending doom and disaster, which are symbolized by the metaphor of high, possibly flood, waters. This is a common theme in blues songs, where water often represents trouble or desperation.
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Grammy Nomination"High Water (For Charley Patton)" was nominated for a Grammy Award for 'Best Male Rock Vocal Performance' in 2002, underscoring Dylan's immense musical talent and the song's broad appeal.
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Live PerformancesDylan performed this song frequently during his career aftere releasing it; it is one of his most performed songs from "Love and Theft."
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LyricsThe song's lyrics mention several Mississippi towns while metaphoring the areas' historical events, reflecting Dylan's noted penchant for infusing his songs with rich regional and historical contexts.
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Critical AcclaimMany critics and fans laud "High Water (For Charley Patton)" as one of the highlights of the "Love and Theft" album, particularly noting its raw and powerful musical and vocal delivery.
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Additional VersionA live version of the song was released in 2004 on the DVD "Bob Dylan – MTV Unplugged," highlighting its popularity within Dylan's repertoire.
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Inspirational SourceThe song is influenced by Charley Patton's "High Water Everywhere," alluding not just to Patton's influence on Dylan but also to the historical 1927 Mississippi flood.
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Apocalyptic VibeThe song creates an eerie, end-of-the-world atmosphere through its lyrics, evoking images of a chaotic world affected by the floods.
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Musical ConnectionsDylan admits that he borrowed a line from the song "High Water Blues" written by Blind Lemon Jefferson, another blues pioneer. This reflects the interconnectedness and respect between musicians in the Delta Blues genre.
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Citation
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"High Water (For Charley Patton) Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 8 Jun 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/24326323/Bob+Dylan/High+Water+%28For+Charley+Patton%29>.
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