[Verse 1]
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

[Refrain]
She's long gone
And now I'm lonesome blue

[Verse 2]
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 leanin' post is done left and gone

[Refrain]
She's long gone
And now I'm lonesome blue

[Verse 3]
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 goin' down in it three times, but Lord I'm only comin' up twice

[Refrain]
She's long gone
And now I'm lonesome blue
[Verse 4]
She told me on Sunday she was checkin' 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

[Refrain]
She's long gone
And now I'm lonesome blue