When it rained five days, sky turned dark at night.
When it rained five days, sky turned dark at night.
And trouble takin' place, in the lowlands that night.

I woke up this morning, couldn't even get out of my door.
I woke up this morning, couldn't even get out of my door.
There's so much of trouble, make a poor man wonder where he wants to go.

They rowed a little boat, about five miles closed of home.
They rowed a little boat, about five miles closed of home.
I packed up all my things throwed ‘em in, and they rowed me along.

Well it thunders and lightened, the wind begin to blow.
Thunders and lightened, the wind begin to blow.
And thousands of people, ain't got no place to go.

I when upon some high, some high, high lonesome hill.
And looked down on the house where I used to live.

Back-water blues done ‘caused me to pack my things and go.
‘Cause my house fell down and I can't live there no mo'.

Mmmmmm, I can't move no more.
Ohhhhhhhh, I can't move no more.
There's no place for a poor, poor man to go.