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
She's long gone and now I'm lonesome blues.

I had me a woman who 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.


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 Lawd
I'm goin' down in it three times but Lord I'm only comin' back twice
She's long gone and now I'm lonesome blues.

She told me on Sunday she was checking me out
Along 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 blues...