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When the Levee Breaks

From Wikisource
When the Levee Breaks (1929)
by Memphis Minnie

"When the Levee Breaks" is a blues song first recorded by Memphis Minnie and her then-husband Kansas Joe McCoy in 1929. Transcribed from the original recording found on Memphis Minnie & Kansas Joe Vol. 1 (1929-1930).

794325When the Levee Breaks1929Memphis Minnie

If it keeps on raining, levee's going to break.
If it keeps on raining, levee's going to break.
And the water gonna come and I have no place to stay.

Well all last night, I sat on the lever[1] and moaned.
Well all last night, I sat on the lever[1] and moaned.
Thinkin' 'bout my baby, and my happy home.

If it keeps on raining, levee's going to break.
If it keeps on raining, levee's going to break.
And all these people, have no place to stay.

Now look here, mama, what am I to do?
Now look here, mama, now what I should do?
I ain't got nobody, 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.

O, cryin' won't help you, prayin' won't do no good.
Time, cryin' won't help you, prayin' won't do no good.
When the levee breaks, mama, you got to move.

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

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

O, mean old levee, caused me to weep and moan.
Yes, the mean old levee, caused me to weep and moan.
Caused me to leave my baby, and my happy home.

Notes

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  1. 1.0 1.1 "Levee"

Licensing

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This work is in the public domain in the United States because it was published before January 1, 1930.


The longest-living author of this work died in 1973, so this work is in the public domain in countries and areas where the copyright term is the author's life plus 51 years or less. This work may be in the public domain in countries and areas with longer native copyright terms that apply the rule of the shorter term to foreign works.

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