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 arrangements for me?

I got a girl cross town she crochet all the time

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