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 He's long gone and now I'm lonesome blue I had me a man who couldn't be true He made me for my money and he made me blue Woman needs a man she can lean on But my leaning post is done left and gone He'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 He's long gone and now I'm lonesome blue He told me on Sunday he was checking me out Long about Monday he was nowhere about And here it is Tuesday, ain't had no news I got them gone but not forgotten blues He's long gone and now I'm lonesome blue