Take me out this bottom, take me out this bottom baby,
Little girl 'fore this water rise
Take me out this bottom, take me out this bottom,
Little girl 'fore this water rise
Why you know I must be born by the devil
Po' Lightnin' don't wanna be baptised

(You see it's raining in all California when I said -

The hide is sliding down off the hills -
Many, many, many friends have lost their home -
Just because the water was falling so hard
and the mudslide had taken their home -
And I said -)

[guitar chorus, over which:]

Then you know how it's happening now

Take me out this bottom, take me out this bottom baby
Po' Lightnin' can't feel satisfied
Take me out this bottom, take me out this bottom
Po' Lightnin' just can't feel satisfied
Did you know how many friends of mine lost their home
By that old mudslide?

Don't take me to be wrong people,
Forgive me for my mistakes
You know, please, please, please,
Forgive me for my mistake
But after all that flood come in California, do you know
The good Lord's ground begin to shake
(They said an earthquake it was comin')

[guitar chorus, over which:]
Have mercy