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 friends match for me?

I got a girl cross town she crochet all the time (or is it "coochies" as in hoochi-coochie?)
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.