When the Levee Breaks

Led Zeppelin recorded “When the Levee Breaks” in 1971. It appeared on their unnamed fourth album (the one that also has “Stairway to Heaven”).

Like many of their earlier songs, this is a cover of a blues song written by Memphis Minnie and Kansas Joe McCoy in 1929. In 1927 the Great Mississippi Flood, which was the most destructive flood in the history of the United States. The water rose to heights of 30 feet above normal, and approximately 500 people died. “When the Levee Breaks” reflects on the destruction caused by that flood.

Zeppelin’s version, recorded in the stairwell at Headley Grange, starts with one of the most famous drum beats of rock history, by Jon Bonham. Jimmy Page’s guitar riffs and Robert Plant’s harmonica and amazing voice give the blues depth and power.

I’ve listened to this song a lot recently, searching for and staying in the lament.

If it keeps on raining,

levee's going to break

If it keeps on raining,

the levee's going to break

When the levee breaks,

we'll have no place to stay

Mean old levee taught me to weep and moan, oh

Mean old levee taught me to weep and moan

It's got what it takes to make a mountain man leave his home

Crying won't help you,

praying won't do you no good

No, crying won't help you,

praying won't do you no good

When the levee breaks, mama, you got to move, ooh

All last night I sat on the levee and moaned

All last night, sat on the levee and moaned

Thinking about my baby and my happy home

I’m goin’ to Chicago……..