Standard (EADGBE)

* = string 1st fret + string 2nd fret (2 finger chord)

** = chord + string 3rd fret (4 finger chord)

chord

 Repeatedly strum *//**/* Play around with different combinations for the best

 effect, deemphasizing the high E string and emphasizing the low string

* ** * 18x

*/ 4x

*/ 4x

 If it keeps on raining, levee's goin' to break, 2x

 When the levee breaks I'll have no place to stay.

* ** * 2x

Mean old levee taught me to weep and moan, 2x

Got what it takes to make a mountain man leave his home,

Oh, well, oh, well, oh, well.

*/ 4x

*/ 4x

Don't it make you feel bad

 When you're trying to find your way home,

 You don't know which way to go?

 If you're goin' down South

 They got no work to do,

 If you don't know about Chicago.

2x

* ** * 14x

*/ 4x

*/ 4x

Cryin' won't help you, praying won't do you no good,

 Now, cryin' won't help you, praying won't do you no good,

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

* ** * 2x

All last night sat on the levee and moaned, 2x

 Thinking about me baby and my happy home.

*/ 4x

*/ 4x

2x

2x

Ah ha ah ha ah ha ha ha

* ** * 2x

Going, going to Chicago... Going to Chicago... sorry but I can't take you...

Going down... going down now... going down....