When The Levee Breaks (1929) Kansas Joe and Memphis Minnie (With Lyrics)

Most people are familiar with Led Zeppelin’s 1970 version of this song, but this is the original recording of it from 1929. There is a backstory to it that involves one of the biggest natural disasters in American History. In 1927, the Mississippi River flooded over 27,000 square miles of land under 30 feet of water, killing hundreds of people and destroying towns, farms, and homes in Louisiana, Arkansas, Mississippi, and the Mississippi Delta. Considered the most destructive river flooding in U.S. history, two years later “The Great Flood of 1927” inspired Mississippi natives, Kansas Joe McCoy and Memphis Minnie, to write and record “When the Levee Breaks” in 1929. If it keeps on rainin’, the levee’s goin to break and the water goin come, I have no place to stay Well all last night, I sat on the levee and moaned thinkin’ bout my baby, and my happy home If it keeps on rainin’, the levee’s goin to break and all these people, have no place to stay Now look here Mama, what am I to do? I ain’t got nobody, to tell my troubles to I worked on the levee, almost night and day I ain’t got nobody, to keep the water away Cryin’ won’t help you, prayin’ won’t do no good when the levee breaks, all you got to move I worked on the levee, almost night and day I worked so hard, to keep the water away I had a woman, she wouldn’t do for me I’m goin back, to my used to be Mean old levee, cause me to weep and moan gonna leave my baby, and my happy home Field acoustic restoration (2023): Paul Howard -The Yucaipa Studio We do not monetize on this channel and our posts are commercial free. If you wish to support this kind of music. You may make a donation to: