Song information On this page you can find the lyrics of the song Waist Deep in the Big Muddy, artist - Pete Seeger. Album song Pete Seeger: The Smithsonian Folkways Collection, in the genre
Date of issue: 02.05.2019
Record label: Smithsonian Folkways
Song language: English
Waist Deep in the Big Muddy |
It was back in nineteen forty-two, |
I was a member of a good platoon. |
We were on maneuvers in-a Loozianna, |
One night by the light of the moon. |
The captain told us to ford a river, |
That’s how it all begun. |
We were -- knee deep in the Big Muddy, |
But the big fool said to push on. |
The Sergeant said, «Sir, are you sure, |
This is the best way back to the base?» |
«Sergeant, go on! |
I forded this river |
'Bout a mile above this place. |
It’ll be a little soggy but just keep slogging. |
We’ll soon be on dry ground.» |
We were -- waist deep in the Big Muddy |
And the big fool said to push on. |
The Sergeant said, «Sir, with all this equipment |
No man will be able to swim.» |
«Sergeant, don’t be a Nervous Nellie,» |
The Captain said to him. |
«All we need is a little determination; |
Men, follow me, I’ll lead on.» |
We were -- neck deep in the Big Muddy |
And the big fool said to push on. |
All at once, the moon clouded over, |
We heard a gurgling cry. |
A few seconds later, the captain’s helmet |
Was all that floated by. |
The Sergeant said, «Turn around men! |
I’m in charge from now on.» |
And we just made it out of the Big Muddy |
With the captain dead and gone. |
We stripped and dived and found his body |
Stuck in the old quicksand. |
I guess he didn’t know that the water was deeper |
Than the place he’d once before been. |
Another stream had joined the Big Muddy |
'Bout a half mile from where we’d gone. |
We were lucky to escape from the Big Muddy |
When the big fool said to push on. |
Well, I’m not going to point any moral; |
I’ll leave that for yourself |
Maybe you’re still walking, you’re still talking |
You’d like to keep your health. |
But every time I read the papers |
That old feeling comes on; |
We’re -- waist deep in the Big Muddy |
And the big fool says to push on. |
Waist deep in the Big Muddy |
And the big fool says to push on. |
Waist deep in the Big Muddy |
And the big fool says to push on. |
Waist deep! |
Neck deep! |
Soon even a |
Tall man’ll be over his head, we’re |
Waist deep in the Big Muddy! |
And the big fool says to push on! |