Song Lyrics

Lord, I'm goin' uptown to the Harlem River to drown
Dirty water gonna cover me over
And I'm not gonna make a sound

I'm on a roll, mama, I gotta go
Gotta get there while I still can
Troubled days are behind me now
And I know they're gonna let me in
When you see me walkin' up the FDR
Just a-singin' and a-clappin' my hands
Tell my mama I love her, tell my father I tried
Give my money to my baby to spend

'Cause Lord, I'm goin' uptown to the Harlem River to drown
Dirty water gonna cover me over
And I'm not gonna make a sound

Good times come and they go
Even a good man'll break
He'll let his troubles bury him whole
Even though he knows what's at stake
So I'm taking no chances
Carrying over while I'm still good in His grace
Sayin' I'm no fool, mama
I know the difference between tempting and choosing my fate

So Lord, I'm goin' uptown to the Harlem River to drown
Dirty water gonna cover me over
And I'm not gonna make a sound

Lord, I'm goin' uptown to the Harlem River to drown
Dirty water gonna cover me over
And I'm not gonna make a sound

Lord, I'm goin' uptown to the Harlem River to drown
Dirty water gonna cover me over
And I'm not gonna make a sound

Justin Townes Earle

The duration of Harlem River Blues is 2:48 minutes and seconds.