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

 

I'm gonna find me a river, one 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