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 river was dry.

He's long gone, and now I'm lonesome blue.

I had me a man who couldn't be [bad word] 

He made me for my money and she made me blue.

woman needs a man that he 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 [bad word] up twice.

He's long gone, and now I'm lonesome blue.

He told me on Sunday he 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.