Well I had a little gal named Sha-Marie Coal black hair and eyes of green She gave me all her love, but she never was true Took me on a ride down the river of fools There's a dirty alligator just laughing at me Joking with the buzzards and the snakes in the trees I try to get away, but it ain't no use No I'm a-headed down the river of fools River of fools, long and wide Sinking in the muddy deep Ain't no way to make it to the other side Hang your head and weep I never did think I'd be so blue, back in my younger days But now I'm a-headed down the river of fools And I think I'm gonna wash away Well I hopped a little ride on a riverboat queen Was the prettiest ship that I ever did see But little lady luck proved much too cruel Took me on a ride down the river of fools I'm like a big blue catfish hanging on a line Drinking froggy champagne and salamander wine Twiddle my fins and sing my song All the good times are past and gone River of fools, long and wide Sinking in the muddy deep Ain't no way to make it to the other side Hang your head and weep I never did think I'd be so blue, back in my younger days But now I'm a-headed down the river of fools And I think I'm gonna wash away But now I'm a-headed down the river of fools And I think I'm gonna wash away