I wandered all the way to Crooked River
With you burning a hole in my mind
Well I came down here to try to get better
But it just keeps getting harder all the time

And when I finally get myself together
I know, yes I know it'll be sublime
But until then I'll make my home down by Crooked River
And I'll sleep beneath the shade of the pines

Wash my hands, wash my sins
Let me shiver in your ruthless wind
Take me down, take me in
Oh, you Crooked River

Well ol' loneliness she's haunted me forever
But I've learned to look her straight in the eye
And when she sneaks up on me down by Crooked River
Well she hardly ever even makes me cry

Wash my hands, wash my sins
Let me shiver in your ruthless wind
Take me down, take me in
Oh, you Crooked River