[Verse 1]
I went down to the river to watch the fish swim by
But when I got to the river so lonesome I wanted to die, oh, Lord
So then I jumped in the river, but the doggone river was dry

[Chorus]
She's long gone, now I'm lonesome blue

[Verse 2]
I had me a woman, she 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 leaning post has done left and gone

[Chorus]
She's long gone, now I'm lonesome blue

[Verse 3]
I'm going to find me a river, one that's cold as ice
And when I find me that river, Lord, I'm going to pay the price, oh Lord
I'm going down in it three times, but, Lord, I'm only coming up twice

[Chorus]
She's long gone, now I'm lonesome blue

[Verse 4]
She told me on Sunday she was checking 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
[Chorus]
She's long gone, now I'm lonesome blue