The Reed Flute Twelve-Bar Blues

They went to the river to cut them some reeds
They went to the river to cut them some reeds
Took a knife to the stalk and they made it bleed.

They put in some holes, the number was nine
They put in some holes, the number was nine
They made it a flute and it sounded so fine.

Ain't but one tune that flute ever played
Ain't but one tune that flute ever played
And it cried out to God all through the long day.

Ain't but one word that flute ever said
Ain't but one word that flute ever said
"Take me back, take me back to the old riverbed."