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Waist Deep In The Big Muddy

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DmIt was back in nineteen-forty-two
DmI was a member of a good platoon.
DmWe were on maneuvers in Louisiana,
DmOne night by the light of the A7moon.
The Dmcaptain told us to ford a river,
GThat's how it all A7begun.
We were kneeDm-deep in the big muddy
A7But the big fool said to push Dmon.
DmThe sergeant said, "sir, are you sure,
Dmthis is the best way back to the base?"
Dm"Sergeant, go on, I forded this river
'bout a mile above this pA7lace.
DmIt'll be a little soggy but just keep slogging
Gwe'll soon be on dry grA7ound."
we were wDmaist-deep in the big muddy
A7and the big fool said to push Dmon
DmThe sergeant said, "Sir, with all this equipment
Dmno man will be able to swim."
Dm"Sergeant, don't be a nervous nellie."
DmThe captain said to hA7im
Dm"All we need is a little determination;
Gmen, follow me, I'll lead A7on."
We were -- nDmeck-deep in the big muddy
A7and the big fool said to push Dmon.
DmAll at once, the moon clouded over,
Dmwe heard a gurgling cry.
DmA few seconds later, the captain's helmet
was A7all that floated by.
DmThe sergeant said, "turn around men!
GI'm in charge from now A7on."
and we jDmust made it out of the big muddy
with the A7captain dead and Dmgone.
DmWe stripped and dived and found his body
Dmstuck int he old quicksand.
DmI guess he didn't know that the water was deeper
than the place, he'd A7once before been.
Dmanother stream had joined the big muddy
G'bout a half-mile from where we'd gonA7e.
We were lDmucky to escape from the big muddy
when the A7big fool said to push Dmon.
DmWell, I'm not going to point any moral;
DmI'll leave that for yourself.
DmMaybe you're still walking, you're still talking
you'd like A7to keep your health.
DmBut every time I read the papers
Gthat old feeling comes A7on;
         Dm*         Dm*                Dm*      (*Single-Strums)
We're -- waist-deep. Neck-deep. Soon a tall man will be over his head.
We're waDmste-deep in the big muddy.
And the A7big fool says to push Dmon.

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Waist Deep In The Big Muddy

by Pete Seeger

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

It was back in nineteen-forty-two

I was a member of a good platoon.

We were on maneuvers in Louisiana,

Dm A7

One night by the light of the moon.

The captain told us to ford a river,

G A7

That's how it all begun.

We were knee-deep in the big muddy

A7 Dm

But the big fool said to push on.

The sergeant said, "sir, are you sure,

this is the best way back to the base?"

"Sergeant, go on, I forded this river

'bout a mile above this place.

It'll be a little soggy but just keep slogging

G A7

we'll soon be on dry ground."

we were waist-deep in the big muddy

A7 Dm

and the big fool said to push on

The sergeant said, "Sir, with all this equipment

no man will be able to swim."

"Sergeant, don't be a nervous nellie."

Dm A7

The captain said to him

"All we need is a little determination;

G A7

men, follow me, I'll lead on."

We were -- neck-deep in the big muddy

A7 Dm

and the big fool said to push on.

All at once, the moon clouded over,

we heard a gurgling cry.

A few seconds later, the captain's helmet

was all that floated by.

The sergeant said, "turn around men!

G A7

I'm in charge from now on."

and we just made it out of the big muddy

A7 Dm

with the captain dead and gone.

We stripped and dived and found his body

stuck int he old quicksand.

I guess he didn't know that the water was deeper

than the place, he'd once before been.

another stream had joined the big muddy

G A7

'bout a half-mile from where we'd gone.

We were lucky to escape from the big muddy

A7 Dm

when the big fool said to push on.

Well, I'm not going to point any moral;

I'll leave that for yourself.

Maybe you're still walking, you're still talking

you'd like to keep your health.

But every time I read the papers

G A7

that old feeling comes on;

Dm Dm Dm

* * * (*Single-Strums)

We're -- waist-deep. Neck-deep. Soon a tall man will be over his head.

We're waste-deep in the big muddy.

A7 Dm

And the big fool says to push on.

About Waist Deep In The Big Muddy Chords by Pete Seeger

Learn how to play Waist Deep In The Big Muddy by Pete Seeger with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “Waist Deep In The Big Muddy chords”, “Waist Deep In The Big Muddy guitar chords”, or “Pete Seeger Waist Deep In The Big Muddy chords” and you will find this page — transpose to any key, tap chords for diagrams, and use auto-scroll while you play. Perfect for beginners looking for easy Waist Deep In The Big Muddy chords and for experienced players who want accurate Waist Deep In The Big Muddy lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include Dm, A7, G, A.

FAQ — Waist Deep In The Big Muddy by Pete Seeger

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What key is "Waist Deep In The Big Muddy" in?

The chords for "Waist Deep In The Big Muddy" show the original chord names (including Dm, A7, G, A). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.