Waist Deep in the Big Muddy

It was back in 1942

I was a member of a good platoon

We were on maneuvers in Louisiana

One night by the light of the moon

The captain told us to ford a river

That's how it all begun

We were knee deep in the Big Muddy

But the big fool said to push on

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 sloggin' but just keep slogging

We'll soon be on dry ground"

We were waist deep in the Big Muddy

And the big fool said to push on

Sergeant said, "Sir, with all this equipment

No man will be able to swim"

"Sergeant, don't be a nervous nelly"

The captain said to him

"All we need is a little determination

Men, follow me, I'll lead on"

We were neck deep in the Big Muddy

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

I'm in charge from now on"

And we had just made it out of the Big Muddy

With the captain dead and gone

We stripped and dived and found his body

Stuck in the old quick sand

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

'Bout a half mile from where we'd gone

We were lucky to escape from the Big Muddy

When the big fool said to push on

Well I'm not gonna 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

That old feeling comes on

We're waist deep in the Big Muddy

And the big fool said to push on

Waist deep in the Big Muddy

And the big fool said to push on

Waist deep in the Big Muddy

And the big fool said to push on

We're waist deep, neck deep

Soon even a tall man will be over his head

We're waist deep in the Big Muddy

And the big fool said to push on