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 
LordAnd then 
I jumped in the river but the doggone river was dry
She's long gone and now 
I'm lonesome blue
Well, I had me a woman who couldn't be true
She made me for my money then 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 gon' 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 
LordI'm goin' down in it three times but 
I'm only comin' up twice
She's long gone and now 
I'm lonesome blue
Oh well, she told me on 
Sunday she was checkin' me out
Along about 
Monday she was nowhere about
And here it is 
Tuesday, I ain't had no news
I got them gone but not forgotten blues
She's long gone and now 
I'm lonesome blue