Watching the news this week as it relates to the national debt, I was reminded of a song Johnny Cash used to sing Five Feet High and Rising, which is summarized below.
How high's the water, mama?
Two feet high and risin'
How high's the water, papa?
Two feet high and risin'
We can make it to the road in a homemade boat
That's the only thing we got left that'l float
It's already over all the wheat and the oats,
Two feet high and risin'
(Note: In 1980, the debt was 0.9 trillion dollars.)
How high's the water mama?
Three feet high and risin'
How high's the water, papa?
Three feet high and risin'
Well, the hives are gone,
I've lost my bees
The chickens are sleepin'
In the willow trees
Cow's in water up past her knees,
Three feet high and risin'
(Note: In 1990, the debt was 3.2 trillion dollars.)
How high's the water, mama?
Four feet high and risin'
How high's the water, papa?
Four feet high and risin'
Hey, come look through the window pane,
The bus is comin', gonna take us to the train,
Looks like we'll be blessed with a little more rain,
Four feet high and risin'
(Note: In 2000, the debt was 5.6 trillion dollars.)
How high's the water, mama?
Five feet high and risin'
How high's the water, papa?
Five feet high and risin'
Well, the rails are washed out north of town,
We gotta head for higher ground
We can't come back till the water comes down,
Five feet high and risin'
(Note: Today, in 2011, the debt is 14.3 trillion dollars.)
