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

She's long gone and now I'm lonesome blue

I had me a woman who couldn't 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

She's long gone and now I'm lonesome blue

I'm gonna find me a river one thats 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

She's long gone and now I'm lonesome blue

She told me on sunday she was checkin me out;

Long about monday she was nowhere about

And here it is tuesday ain't had no news

I got them gone but not forgotten blues

She's long gone and now I'm lonesome blu