Five Feet High and Risin'

by Johnny Cash

(capo 1 to play along with recording)



My mama always taught me that good things come from adversity if we put our 

faith in the Lord.  We couldn't see much good in the flood waters when they 

were causing us to have to leave home, but when the water went down, we found 

that it had washed a load of rich black bottom dirt across our land.  The 

following year we had the best cotton crop weFd ever had.  I remember 

hearing, 



A

   

A

How high's the water, mama?  Two feet high and risin'

A

How high's the water, papa?  Two feet high and risin'



We can make it to the road in a homemade boat

           D

that's the only thing we got left that'll float

     E                                                          A

it's already over all the wheat and the oats, Two feet high and risinF

(up to C)

How high's the water, mama?  Three feet high and risin'

How high's the water, papa?  Three feet high and risin'

Well, the hives are gone, I've lost my bees

the chickens are sleepin' in the willow trees

cow's in water up past her knees, three feet high and risin'

(up to D)

How high's the water, mama?  Four feet high and risin'

How high's the water, papa?  Four feet high and risin'

Hey, come look through the window pane,

the bus is comin', gonna take us to the train

looks like we'll be blessed with a little more rain, 4 feet high and risin'

(up to E)

How high's the water, mama?  Five feet high and risin'

How high's the water, papa?  Five feet high and risin'

Well the rails are washed out north of town

we gotta head for higher ground

we can't come back till the water comes down, Five feet high and risin'

E

Well it's five feet high and risin'