Black Water Lyrics

[Verse 1]
Well, I built me a raft and she's ready for floating
Old Mississippi, she's calling my name
Catfish are jumping, that paddle wheel thumping
Black water keeps rolling on past just the same


[Chorus]
Old black water, keep on rolling
Mississippi moon, won't you keep on shining on me?
Old black water, keep on rolling
Mississippi moon, won't you keep on shining on me?
Old black water, keep on rolling

Mississippi moon, won't you keep on shining on me?
Yeah, keep on shining your light
Gonna make everything, pretty mama
Gonna make everything alright
And I ain't got no worries cause I ain't in no hurry at all

[Verse 2]
Well, if it rains, I don't care!
Don't make no difference to me
Just take that street car that's going up town
Yeah, I'd like to hear some funky Dixieland
And dance the honky tonk
And I'll be buying everybody drinks all round

[Chorus]
Old black water, keep on rolling
Mississippi moon, won't you keep on shining on me?
Old black water, keep on rolling
Mississippi moon, won't you keep on shining on me?
Old black water, keep on rolling
Mississippi moon, won't you keep on shining on me?
Keep on shining your light
Gonna make everything, everything
Gonna make everything alright
And I ain't got no worries cause I ain't in no hurry at all

[Breakdown]
I'd like to hear some funky Dixieland
Pretty mama, come and take me by the hand
By the hand, hand, take me by the hand, pretty mama
Come and dance with your daddy all night long
I'd like to hear some funky Dixieland
Pretty mama, come and take me by the hand
By the hand, hand, take me by the hand, pretty mama
Come and dance with your daddy all night long
I'd like to hear some funky Dixieland
Pretty mama, come and take me by the hand
By the hand, hand, take me by the hand, pretty mama
Come and dance with your daddy all night long
I'd like to hear some funky Dixieland
Pretty mama, come and take me by the hand
By the hand, hand, take me by the hand, pretty mama
Come and dance with your daddy all night long
I'd like to hear some funky Dixieland
Pretty mama, come and take me by the hand
By the hand, hand, take me by the hand, pretty mama
Come and dance with your daddy all night long
I'd like to hear some funky Dixieland
Pretty mama, come and take me by the hand

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About

Genius Annotation

Hallmark of the mature style of the Doobies' original incarnation, blending their NorCal biker origins with Southern influences

The song is a tune to accompany Huckleberry Finn, Mark Twain’s masterpiece (Patrick Simmons' favorite author)

Q&A

Find answers to frequently asked questions about the song and explore its deeper meaning

Does the track have any certifcations?
Genius Answer

Yes, “Black Water” was certified gold by the RIAA on April 14, 1975.

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