[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]
He's long gone, and now I'm lonesome blue

[Verse 2]
I had me a man who couldn't be true
He made me for my money and he made me blue
A woman needs a man that she can lean on
But my leaning post is done left and gone

[Refrain]
He's long gone, and now I'm lonesomе blue

[Verse 3]
I'm gonna find me a river, onе 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

[Refrain]
He's long gone, and now I'm lonesome blue

[Verse 4]
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
[Refrain]
He's long gone, and now I'm lonesome blue