“Waterbound” is a traditional American song and fiddle tune dating to the nineteenth century. It was recorded by Virginia old-time musicians, and the influential version sung in the folk revival was learned largely from the banjo player Wade Ward and the Bogtrotters.
The song joins two threads: a flood that has the singer waterbound and stranded, unable to get home, and a strand of courting verses. Its mood is part hardship, part good cheer, the high water keeping a traveler stuck where he is.
The song has stayed a favorite among old-time string bands.
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