MUDDY WATER (A MISSISSIPPI MOAN)
(Peter DeRose / Harry Richman / Jo Trent)

Bessie Smith - 1927
Gene Austin - 1927
Ben Bernie & His Orch. - 1927
Paul Whiteman & His Orch. (vocal: Bing Crosby) - 1927
Jack Hylton's Hyltonians (vocal: Al Starita) - 1927
The Piccadilly Revels (vocal: Al Starita) - 1927
Harold Lambert (with Jack Pettis & His Band) - 1927
Harry Richman - 1927
Bing Crosby (with The Buddy Cole Trio) - 1954

Also recorded by: Monette Moore; Madeleine Peyroux.




As recorded by BESSIE SMITH, 2nd March 1927, New York:

Dixie moonlight, Swanee shore
Headin' homebound just once more
To my Mississippi delta home

Southland has a grand garden spot
Although you believe or not
I hear those breezes a-whispering
"Come on back to me"

Muddy water 'round my feet
Muddy water in the street
Just Gods own shelter
Down on the delta

Muddy water in my shoes
Reelin' and rockin' to them low down blues
They live in ease and comfort down there
I do declare

Been away a year today
To wander and roam
I don't care, it's muddy there
But still it's my home sweet home

Got my toes turned Dixie way
'Round that delta let me lay
My heart cries out for muddy water


(Contributed by Peter Akers - May 2009)


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As recorded by GENE AUSTIN:

Dixie moonlight, Swanee shore
Headin' homebound just once more
To my Mississippi delta home, home, home

Southland has a garden spot
And though you believe or not
I hear those breezes whispering
"Come on back to me"

Muddy water 'round my feet
Muddy water in the street
Just Gods own shelter
Down on the delta

Muddy water in my shoes
Rockin' to those low down blues
They live in peace and happiness there
I declare

I've been away a year today
To wander and roam
I don't care it's muddy there
But still it's my home sweet home

I've got my toes turned Dixie way
Round that delta let me play
My heart cries out for muddy water

Muddy water all around round my feet
Muddy water up and down the street

Muddy water in my shoes
Rockin' to those low down blues

I've been away a year today
To wander and roam
I don't care it's muddy there
But still it's my little ol' home

I've got my toes turned Dixie way
Round that delta let this old boy lay
My heart cries out for muddy water


(Transcribed by Mel Priddle - November 2012)


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As recorded by AL STARITA with JACK HYLTON'S HYLTONIANS,
17th May 1927:

Now, muddy water round my feet
Muddy water in the street
Just Gods own shelter
Down on the delta

Muddy water in my shoes
Rockin' to those low down blues
They live in ease and comfort down there
I declare

Been away a year today
To wander and roam
Well, I don't care it's muddy there
But still it's my home sweet home

Standing on the railroad track
I'll grab the first train that takes me back
My heart cries out for muddy water


(Transcribed by Mel Priddle - November 2012)