Down in New Orleans on the banks of a levy,
My mouth was dry and my heart was heavy
A gray old man fishing next to me saw that look on my face and he began to speak
He said through my years I've learned my lesson
We're on the same boat trying to get to Heaven
This world is full of sin and strife
Son, let me give you some free advice
You can't quench your thirst drinking muddy water
Or wash your soul in a dirty stream
You can't quench your thirst drinking muddy water
There's only one well where the water is clean
Muddy water, dirty stream,
Muddy water, dirty stream
Muddy water, there's only one well where the water is clean
Though I never once saw that man again
it's hard to believe how long it's been
The words he said really changed my life
I'm the first one to testify, testify
You can't quench your thirst drinking muddy water
Or wash your soul in a dirty stream
You can't quench your thirst drinking muddy water
There's only one well where the water is clean
Muddy water, dirty stream,
Muddy water, dirty stream
Muddy water, there's only one well where the water is clean
You can't quench your thirst drinking muddy water
Or wash your soul in a dirty stream
You can't quench your thirst drinking muddy water
There's only one well where the water is clean
Muddy water, dirty stream,
Muddy water, dirty stream
Muddy water, there's only one well where the water is clean