Way out in the Mississippi valley Just among the plains so grand Flows the flooded Mississippi River Destroying the works of man With her waters at the highest That all man has ever known She came sweeping through the valley And destroying land and homes There were children clinging in the treetops Who had spent those sleepless nights And without a bit of shelter Or even a spark of light With their prayers going up to their Father For the break of day to come That they might see some rescue party Who would provide for them a home There were some of them on the housetops With no way to give an alarm There were mothers wading in the water With their babies in their arms Let us all get right with our Maker As He doth make all things well And be ready to meet in judgment When we bid this earth farewell