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 drive
Just a-singin' and a-clappin' my hands
Tell my mama I love her, tell my daddy 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 just 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
Well 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
I'm not gonna make a sound
Lord, I'm goin' uptown to the Harlem River to drown
Dirty water gonna cover me over
I'm not gonna make a sound