When the Water Goes Down

They changed the course of the water and flooded the town We watched from the banks of the river when old Butler went down I led a prayer for the living and all we'd left behind Anything to ease a troubled mind As I gave the message, I started to cry If they asked me questions, I wouldn't have to lie I'd say Margie left the valley sometime in the night She was homesick for the city life I always knew she'd never make a preacher's wife Jesus said one day the dead would rise up from the ground You can't bury memories that won't drown Thirty-five years later and all I think about is What's coming up when the water goes down We never thought we'd ever see old Butler town But they have to fix the dam so the water's coming down Now my congregation wants to raise the cornerstone Some things are better left alone Guess it's time to reap the seeds I've sown Jesus said one day the dead would rise up from the ground You can't bury memories that won't drown Thirty-five years later and all I think about is What's coming up when the water goes down Those million-dollar houses on Watauga Lake Thank the Lord above and the TVA I can't depend on either one to help me anymore Carter County sheriff's at my door Jesus said one day the dead would rise up from the ground You can't bury memories that won't drown Thirty-five years later and all I think about is What's coming up when the water goes down What's coming up when the water goes down What's coming up when the water goes down