Words and music by Bob Dylan
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Highwater risin', rising night and day
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All the gold and silver are being stolen away
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Big Joe Turner looking east and west from the dark room of his mind
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He made it to Kansas City, Twelfth Street and Vine
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Nothin' standing there
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Highwater everywhere
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Highwater rising the shacks are sliding down
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Folks lose their possessions, the folks are leaving town
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Reformation shook it, broke it, then she hung it on the wall
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Say you dancin' with whom they tell you to or you don't dance at all
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It's tough out there
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Highwater everywhere
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I got a craven love for blazin' speed
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I got a hopped up Mustang Ford
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Jump into the wagon, love
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Throw your panties overboard
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I can write you poems, make a strong man lose his mind
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I'm no pig without a wig, I hope you treat me kind
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Things are breakin' up out there
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Highwater everywhere
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Highwater rising, six inches above my head
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Coffins droppin' in the street like balloons made out of lead
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Water poured into Vicksburg, don't know what I'm gonna do
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Don't reach out for me, she said, can't you see I'm drowning too
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It's rough out there
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Highwater everywhere
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Well, George Lewes told the Englishman, the Italian and the Jew
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You can't open up your mind, boys, to every conceivable point of view
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They got Charles Darwin trapped out there on Highway 5
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Judge says to the High Sheriff, I want them dead or alive
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Either one, I don't care
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Highwater everywhere
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Well, the cuckoo is a pretty bird, she warbles as she flies
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I'm preachin' the word of God, I'm puttin' out your eyes
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I asked Fat Nancy for someth'n' to eat, she said take it off the shelf
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As great as you are man, you'll never be greater than yourself
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I told her I didn't really care
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Highwater everywhere
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I get up in the mornin', I believe I'll dust my broom
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Keepin' away from the women, I'm givin' them lots of room
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Thunder rollin' over Clarksdale, everythin' a-lookin' blue
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I just can't be happy, love, unless you're happy too
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It's bad out there
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Highwater everywhere
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Highwater (For Charlie Patton)
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Bob Dylan |