by John R. Cash

Recorded 3/12/59

Number 14 - Country Chart; Number 76 - Pop Chart



My mama always taught me that good things come from adversity if we put our faith in the Lord.

We couldn't see much good in the flood waters when they

were causing us to have to leave home,

But when the water went down, we found that it had washed a load of rich black bottom dirt across our land. The following year we had the best cotton crop we'd ever had.



I remember hearing:



How high's the water, mama?

Two feet high and risin'

How high's the water, papa?

Two feet high and risin'



We can make it to the road in a homemade boat

That's the only thing we got left that'll float

It's already over all the wheat and the oats,

Two feet high and risin'



How high's the water, mama?

Three feet high and risin'

How high's the water, papa?

Three feet high and risin'



Well, the hives are gone,

I've lost my bees

The chickens are sleepin'

In the willow trees

Cow's in water up past her knees,

Three feet high and risin'



How high's the water, mama?

Four feet high and risin'

How high's the water, papa?

Four feet high and risin'



Hey, come look through the window pane,

The bus is comin', gonna take us to the train

Looks like we'll be blessed with a little more rain,

4 feet high and risin'



How high's the water, mama?

Five feet high and risin'

How high's the water, papa?

Five feet high and risin'



Well, the rails are washed out north of town

We gotta head for higher ground

We can't come back till the water comes down,

Five feet high and risin'



Well, it's five feet high and risin'