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.shes long gone, and now Im lonesome blue.

I had me a woman who couldnt be true.
She made me for my money and she made me blue.
A man needs a woman that he can lean on,
But my leanin post is done left and gone.
Shes long gone, and now Im lonesome blue.

Im gonna find me a river, one thats cold as ice.
And when I find me that river, lord Im gonna pay the price, oh lord!
Im goin down in it three times, but lord Im only comin up twice.
Shes long gone, and now Im lonesome blue.

She told me on sunday she was checkin me out;
Long about monday she was nowhere about.
And here it is tuesday, aint had no news.
I got them gone but not forgotten blues.
Shes long gone, and now Im lonesome blue.