How far to the river, mama, walk down by the sea How far to the river, walk down by the sea I got those tadpoles and minnows all in over me Standing here wonderin' will a matchbox hold my clothes I'se sittin here wonderin' will a matchbox hold my clothes I ain't got so many matches but I got so far to go Lord, Lord, who may your manager be? Hey, mama, who may your manager be? Reason I ask so many questions, can't you make friends match for me? I got a girl cross town she crochet all the time (or is it "coochies" as in hoochi-coochie?) I got a girl cross town crochet all the time Mama if you don't quit crochet-in you gunna lose your mind. I wouldn'y mind marryin', but I can't stand settlin' down I Don't mind marryin', but Lord, settlin' down I'm gonna act like a preacher so I can ride from town to town Well, I'm leavin' town, but that won't make me stay I leavin' town, cryin' won't make me stay Baby, the more you cry, the farther you drive me away.