The river overran its banks
Some could swim, many more sank
Farms and fields were swept away
That bottom land became a lake
We hung around town, we drank and we cursed
While the weather went from bad to worse
Let me down easier than slow
Let us live long enough to know
When I die, let me go
A broken bottle and a broken hand
The iron bars of the jailhouse slammed
We had to work hard to get him out
We made some repairs to the jailer's house
That morning ferry gave us a chill
Headed for the western hill
Oh, let me down easier than slow
Let us live long enough to know
When I die, let me go
