“Five Feet High and Rising” by Johnny Cash
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The song “Five Feet High and Rising” was written by Johnny Cash and released in September 1959 on the album Songs of our Soil.
Lyrics
“Five Feet High and Rising” by Johnny Cash
How high’s the water, mama? Two feet high and rising
How high’s the water, papa? Two feet high and rising
We can make it to the road in a homemade boat
That’s the only thing we got left that’ll float
It’s already over all the wheat and the oats
Two feet high and rising
How high’s the water, mama?
Three feet high and rising
How high’s the water, papa?
Three feet high and rising
Well, the hives are gone
I’ve lost my bees
The chickens are sleeping
In the willow trees
Cow’s in water up past her knees
Three feet high and rising
How high’s the water, mama?
Four feet high and rising
How high’s the water, papa?
Four feet high and rising
Hey, come look through the window pane
The bus is coming, it’s going to take us to the train
Looks like we’ll be blessed with a little more rain
Four feet high and rising
How high’s the water, mama?
Five feet high and rising
How high’s the water, papa?
Five feet high and rising
Well, the rails are washed out north of town
We got to head for higher ground
We can’t come back till the water comes down
Five feet high and rising
Well its five feet high and rising
Questions:
Why is Cash asking his parents how high the water is? What would have been the result of the water covering the crops grown by the Cash family? Where do you think the bus and train will take the Cash family? What does Cash mean when he says they will be “blessed” with more rain?
Citations
Cash, John R. “Five Feet High and Rising.” Songs of Our Soil. September 1959. Track 2.