[Verse 1]
One day I went meanderin' to find myself a wife
A pretty miss to share my kiss and love me all my life
The lonely bachelor's life I led began to get me down
I bought a ring and everything and went right into town

[Chorus]
I went meanderin', meanderin'
Looking far and wide for a girl to be my bride
I went meanderin', meanderin'
Far from the old folks at home

[Verse 2]
I ran into a friend of mine while wandering down a street
He said he had a sister that he thought I ought to meet
He took me home to meet her but she weighed two hundred ten
I shook my head and sadly said, "Oh, here I go again"

[Chorus]
I went meanderin', meanderin'
Looking far and wide for a girl to be my bride
I went meanderin', meanderin'
Far from the old folks at home

[Verse 3]
I came across a pretty girl who said she loved me so
But she would bring her mother with us everywhere we'd go
I was so happy on the day she said she'd be my wife
But when she told me that her ma would live with us for life
[Chorus]
I went meanderin', meanderin'
Looking far and wide for a girl to be my bride
I went meanderin', meanderin'
Far from the old folks at home

[Verse 4]
I finally found myself a wife, a girl who's sweet and true
And when I'm tempted to do something that I shouldn't do
Then I remember days when things are not like they are now
Well, I recall when I was just a bachelor and how

[Chorus]
I went meanderin', oh, meanderin'
Looking far and wide for a girl to be my bride
I went meanderin', oh, meanderin'
Far from the old folks at home