Bob Dylan, 2001 – Highwater - For Charlie Patton

Highwater - For Charlie Patton

Editor’s note: Today’s posts are for all the sad folks I have had to listen to for most of my adult life who said they couldn’t get past the voice (actually many voices) that this year’s Nobel Laureate for Literature spoke so much truth in. It is also for illiterate who say he never matched what he did early in his career. (No music here because the Dylan folks limit access to the recordings via video.)

Highwater risin', rising night and day

All the gold and silver are being stolen away

Big Joe Turner looking east and west from the dark room of his mind

He made it to Kansas City, Twelfth Street and Vine

Nothin' standing there

Highwater everywhere

*

Highwater rising the shacks are sliding down

Folks lose their possessions, the folks are leaving town

Reformation shook it, broke it, then she hung it on the wall

Say you dance with whom they tell you to or you don't dance at all

It's tough out there

Highwater everywhere

*

I got a cravin' love for blazin' speed

I 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

Highwater everywhere

*

Highwater rising, six inches above my head

Coffin's dropping in the street like balloons made out of lead

Water poured into Vicksburg, don't know what I'm gonna do

Don't reach out for me, she said, can't you see I'm drowning too

It's rough out there

Highwater everywhere

*

Well, George Lewis told the Englishman, the Italian and the Jew

You can't open up your mind, boys, to every conceivable point of view

They got Charles Darwin trapped out there on Highway 5

Judge says to the high sheriff, I want him dead or alive

Either one, I don't care

Highwater 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 someth'n' to eat, she said take it off the shelf

As great as you are man, you'll never be greater than yourself

I told her I didn't really care

Highwater everywhere

*

I get up in the mornin', I believe I'll dust my broom

Keepin' away from the women, I'm givin' them lots of room

Thunder rollin' over Clarksdale, everythin' a lookin' blue

I just can't be happy, love, unless you're happy too

It's bad out there

Highwater everywhere

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