Mary, grab the baby, the river´s rising
Muddy water taking back the land
The old-frame house, she can´t take-a one more beating
Ain´t no use to stay and make a stand

Well the morning light shows water in the valley
Daddy´s grave just went below the line
Things to say, you just can´t take em with ya
This flood will swallow all you´ve left behind

Won´t be back to start all over
Cause what I felt before is gone

Mary, take the child, the river´s rising
Muddy water taking back my home
The road is gone, there´s just one way to leave here
Turn my back on what I´ve left below
Shifting land, broken farms around me
Muddy water´s changing all I know

It´s hard to say just what I´m losing
Ain´t never felt so all alone

Mary, take the child, the river´s rising
Muddy water taking back my home

Won´t be back to start all over
Cause what I felt before is gone

Mary, take the child, the river´s rising
Muddy water´s changing all I know
Muddy water´s changing all I know
Lord, this muddy water is taking back my home