Floods are a common occurrence in the fertile hills and valleys of Missouri.
This song is about those days when the water just keeps rising.
Keep your head up!
"The Levee's Comin' Down" ...words and music were written by John Jump
All instruments performed by John Jump
Lyrics
The Levee's Comin' Down
Hey there soldier boy, lay your sandbag down
It's been rainin' here since Tuesday, the River's gonna take this town,
Put a little pep in your step.
Hurry along and fetch another bag.
If you don't like the job you got, don't worry,
"Cause the levee's comin' down, yes it is.
Well, the river's comin' up, confidence is low.
It's man against nature and brother she's a pretty tough foe.
Me, I ain't a gamblin' man, naw, it goes against my creed.
Yeah it do.
But the odds are set at 100 to 1...The levee's comin' down, yes it is.
C'mon, cry me a river.
All the animals are runnin', birds are in the air.
Snakes, they be a crawlin' 'cause there's water everywhere.
Better pick some high ground, some place where you can make a stand.
How good are you at climbin' trees?
We'll find out, 'cause the levee's comin' down.
...Lookee there..a sycamore tree.
Empty out your pockets, leave your treasure back home.
Ain't no time to carry anything, it'll just slow you down.
Cattle in the corn, sittin' with the river up past their knees, yes indeed.
All the things you thought you owned were just on loan
'Cause the levee's comin' down. Yes indeed.
Lay that sandbag down.
It's been rainin' here since Tuesday.
The River's gonna take this town.
Put a little pep in your step, hurry along and fetch another bag.
If you don't like the job you got, don't worry, brother,
'Cause the levee's comin' down.
Yes it is.
This was a good town
With good people.
Well, mostly good.
All this stuff ain't worth nothin' now.
It's goin' downstream.
I mean, even if you tied it down it wouldn't be here very long.
Hey, look...there goes a mattress.
Hey, get that doghouse!
Best get on the roof today...get you a suntan.