Lord I'm going up town
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
I know they're gonna let me in
So when you see me walking cross the FDR
Just a singing and a clapping my hands
Tell my mama I love her tell my father I tried
Give my money to my baby to spend
Lord I'm going up town
To the Harlem River to drown
Dirty water gonna cover me over
I'm not gonna make a sound
Good times come and they go
Even a good man will break
He'll let his troubles bury him whole
Even though he knows what's at stake
So I'm taking no chances, I'm carrying over
While I'm still good in his grace
Saying I'm no fool, mama, I know the difference
Between tempting and choosing my fate
Lord I'm going up town
To the Harlem River to drown
Dirty water gonna cover me over
I'm not gonna make a sound
I'm on a roll, mamma I gotta go
Gotta get there while I still can
Troubled days are behind me now
I know they're gonna let me in
So when you see me walking cross the FDR
Just a singing and a clapping my hands
Tell my mama I love her tell my father I tried
Give my money to my baby to spend
Lord I'm going up town
To the Harlem River to drown
Dirty water gonna cover me over
I'm not gonna make a sound
Lord I'm going up town
To the Harlem River to drown
Dirty water gonna cover me over
I'm not gonna make a sound
Lord I'm going up town
To the Harlem River to drown
Dirty water gonna cover me over
I'm not gonna make a sound
Dirty water gonna cover me over
I'm not gonna make a sound