I went down to the river to watch the fish swim by
But when I got to the river so lonesome I wanted to die oh Lawd
And then I jumped in the river but the doggone river was dry

I had me a woman she couldn't be untrue
She made me for money and she made me blue
A man needs a woman that he can lean on
But my leanin' post is done and left and gone
She's long gone and now I'm lonesome blues
[ piano ]
Gonna find me a river one that's cold as ice
When I find me that river Lord I'm gonna pay the price oh Lawd
I'm goin' down in it three times but I'm only comin' back twice
She told me on Sunday she was checkin' me out
Along about Monday she was nowhere about
And here it is Tuesday ain't had no news got them gone but not forgotten blues
She's long gone and now I'm lonesome blues