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 leaning post
Is done left and gone
She'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 going down in it three times
But Lord I'm only coming up twice
She's long gone
And now I'm lonesome blue
She told me on Sunday
She was checking 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 blue