The song 's subject is the Great Mississippi Flood of 1927 , the largest flood in American history , which affected much of the Mississippi River valley , devastating large parts of Louisiana and the Mississippi Delta , the home of Patton and many other early bluesmen . The flood exposed inequalities in the treatment of African Americans , and its outcome was a contributing factor to the exodus of many blacks to northern cities . Patton 's lyrics include : Patton was likely referring to the levee in Greenville , Mississippi , where black people were held in the aftermath of the flood and not allowed to leave . They were bound to the custody of the landowners for whom they served as sharecroppers and could not go where they wanted to . The song features Patton 's intense vocals and rapid beating on the guitar body . It is regarded as one of the finest of his recordings and considered by some his magnum opus . Bob Dylan paid tribute to the song in his 2001 " High Water ( For Charley Patton ) "
Great Mississippi Flood of 1927
Great Mississippi Flood of 1927
High Water Everywhere