I remember standing at the levee
Water rolling up to my knees
Lord, won't you come and part this river?
Or teach me to swim, if you please

'Cause I can't see how some folks set their mind on dying
When I'm doing my best just to stay alive
I can't see how some folks set their mind on dying
When I'm doing my best just to stay alive

Captain, won't you let me take it easy?
I think I'm coming down with the plague
Gotta make my way back up to Tennessee
Before the good Lord takes me away

I can't see how some folks set their mind on dying
When I'm doing my best just to stay alive
I can't see how some folks set their mind on dying
When I'm doing my best just to stay alive

Jesus, won't you grant me some forgiveness?
'Cause I left a man dead in the field
He got in his head some suspicions
And he came with a knife after me

I can't see how some folks set their mind on dying
When I'm doing my best just to stay alive
I can't see how some folks set their mind on dying
When I'm doing my best just to stay alive