About The Song

The song “Black Water” is a classic hit by American music group the Doobie Brothers, taken from their 1974 album “What Were Once Vices Are Now Habits.” This song marked their first No. 1 hit, with Patrick Simmons performing the lead vocals. The track spent seven weeks at the top of the Billboard Hot 100 chart and marked the Doobie Brothers’ first number-one hit.

The song is not only a celebration of the beauty of the South but also acknowledges its challenges. The song’s opening lyrics paint a vivid picture of a man building a raft and answering the call of the Mississippi, and takes listeners on a journey down the river. Its messages of diversity, resilience, and perseverance continue to resonate with listeners today, making it one of the most beloved songs of all time.

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Lyrics

Well, I built me a raft and she’s ready for floatin’
Ol’ Mississippi, she’s callin’ my name
Catfish are jumpin’
That paddle wheel thumpin’
Black water keeps rollin’ on past just the same
Old black water, keep on rollin’
Mississippi moon, won’t you keep on shinin’ on me
Old black water, keep on rollin’
Mississippi moon, won’t you keep on shinin’ on me
Old black water, keep on rollin’
Mississippi moon, won’t you keep on shinin’ on me
Yeah, keep on shinin’ your light
Gonna make everything, pretty mama
Gonna make everything all right
And I ain’t got no worries
‘Cause I ain’t in no hurry at all

Well, if it rains, I don’t care
Don’t make no difference to me
Just take that street car thats goin’ up town
Yeah, I’d like to hear some funky Dixieland
And dance a honky tonk
And I’ll be buyin’ ev’rybody drinks all ‘roun’

Old black water, keep on rollin’
Mississippi moon, won’t you keep on shinin’ on me
Old black water, keep on rollin’
Mississippi moon, won’t you keep on shinin’ on me
Old black water, keep on rollin’
Mississippi moon, won’t you keep on shinin’ on me
Yeah, keep on shinin’ your light
Gonna make everything, pretty mama
Gonna make everything all right
And I ain’t got no worries
‘Cause I ain’t in no hurry at all

I’d like to hear some funky Dixieland
Pretty mama come and take me by the hand
By the hand, take me by the hand pretty mama
Come and dance with your daddy all night long
I want to honky tonk, honky tonk, honky tonk
With you all night long