[G]I went down to the river, sat beneath the willow tree
The dew dropped on those willow leaves, and it [B7]rolled right down on [Em]me,
And that's the [D]reason I've got those weeping willow[G] blues.

[G]I went up on the mountain, high as any gal could stand,
And looked down on that mean town that [B7]took away my lovin'[Em] man,
And that's the [D]reason I've got those weeping willow [G]blues.

[G]I heard the whistle blowing, the fireman ring the bell.
They takin' away that willow tree that [B7]give me this weeping [Em]spell,
And that's the[D] reason I've got those weeping willow[G] blues.

[C]When you're broken-hearted and your man is out of town,
Go to the river, take the chair and then set down,
And if he don't come back to you, I'll tell you what to do:
Just jump right overboard 'cause he ain't no more to you.
Folks, I love my man. I kiss him morning, noon, and night.
I wash his clothes and keep him clean and try to treat him right.
Now he's gone and left me after all I tried to do.
The way he treats me, girls, he'll do the same thing to you.
That's the [Dm]rea[G]son I've got those weeping willow [C]blues.


Ottilie Paterson's version can be heard here