" High Water ( For Charley Patton ) " is a song by Bob Dylan , released on his 31st studio album '' " Love and Theft " '' in 2001 . The song draws its title from the Charley Patton song " High Water Everywhere " , and is meant as a tribute to that bluesman . It is one of many songs based on the 1927 Louisiana flood . Other songs about the event include Memphis Minnie 's " When the Levee Breaks " ( also recorded by Dylan on his '' Modern Times '' album as " The Levee 's Gon na Break " ) , and Randy Newman 's " Louisiana 1927 "
1927 Louisiana flood
Great Mississippi Flood of 1927
High Water (For Charley Patton)