I went down to the river to watch the fish swim by
But I got to the river so lonesome I wanted to die, oh Lord
And then I jumped in the river, but the doggone river was dry
He's long gone, and now I'm lonesome blue
I had me a man who couldn't be true
He made me for my money and he made me blue
A woman needs a man that she can lean on
But my leanin' post is done left and gone
He's long gone, and now I'm lonesome blue
I'm gonna find me a river, one that's cold as ice
And when I find me that river, Lord, I'm gonna pay the price, oh Lord
I'm goin' down in it three times, but Lord, I'm only comin' up twice
He's long gone, and now I'm lonesome blue
He told me on Sunday she was checkin' me out
Long about Monday he was nowhere about
And here it is Tuesday, ain't had no news
I got them gone but not forgotten blues
He's long gone, and now I'm lonesome blue
