Ol' catfish in the lake, we called him Big Jim
When I was a kid, my only wish was to get my line in him
Skipped church one Sunday and throw'd in my line
Jim took that hook, pole and me right over the side
Went drifting down past old tires and rusty cans of beer
The angel of the lake whispered in my ear
"Before you chose your wish, son, you'd better think first
With every wish there comes a curse"

I fell in love with beautiful Doreen
She was the prettiest thing this old town'd ever seen
I courted her and I made her mine
But I grew jealous whenever another man'd come walkin' down the line
And my jealousy made me treat her mean and cruel
She sighed, "Bobby, oh Bobby, you're such a fool
Don't you know before you chose your wish you'd better think first
With every wish there comes a curse"

These days I sit around and laugh at all the rivers I've crossed
But on the far banks there's always another forest where a man can get lost
Well there in the high trees love's bluebird glides
Guiding us 'cross another river on the other side
And there someone is waitin' with a look in her eyes
And though my heart's grown weary, and more than a little bit shy
Tonight I'll drink from her waters to quench my thirst
And leave the angels to worry
With every wish...