[Chorus]
Don't drink the water
There's a body in the well
There's a body in the well

[Verse 1]
Anybody here seen Mama
Since she up and run to miss Lilly's place?
Anybody here seen Daddy
Since he laid a backhand 'cross her face?
She got a fresh scar on her jawbone
She up and gave that scar a name
She call it, "Sweet Jesus living truth
That ain't gonna happen again, yeah"

[Chorus]
Don't drink the water
There's a body in the well
Don't you drink it
There's a body in the well

[Verse 2]
Last I saw of Papa
It was Tuesday at the kitchen table
Last I saw of Mama
She was dipping a rag in witch hazel
Dabbing it on her cheek
She got a smile where the black and blue meet
Somebody call the sheriff
We ain't seen Daddy for a week
[Chorus]
Don't drink the water
There's a body in the well
Stay back from that well
There's a body in the well

[Bridge]
Somebody up come visit
Tell me who it is 'cause I don't know
Everybody here is accounted for
And the ferry don't show 'til Sunday
Somebody up and trip and fell
Ain't nobody heard them shout or yell
Mama just shrug and say, "Just as well
Some people need to watch their step"

[Guitar Solo]
Don't you drink that water
Hey hey, yeah, mmm
Let me give you some advice

[Verse 4]
You want you a cool libation, mister?
Dip your ladle quarter mile upstream
Better pay mind to the property line
'Cause my Daddy owns everything
You better ask his proper permission
He got a temper and a loaded gun
But something tells me times is changing
And he won't be using either one
[Chorus]
Don't drink the water
There's a body in the well
(Don't you drink that water, boy)
There's a body in the well
(Hey)
Don't you drink that water
There's a body in the well
(Don't drink that water)
(God almighty)
There's a body in the well
(Get back from that well)
Don't you drink that water
There's a body in the well
(Whose shoes are those there?)
(How 'bout that hat?)
There's a body in the well
(Don't you drink that water)
Don't you drink that water
There's a body in the well
(No, don't drink that water, no no no no)
There's a body in the well
Don't drink the water
There's a body in the well

[Outro]
Get on back from there, boy
No, don't go over there, boy
Come back, come back
Come over here