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
Theres a dirty alligator just laughing at me
Joking with the buzzards and the snakes in the trees
I try to get away, but it aint no use
No Im a-headed down the river of fools
River of fools, long and wide
Sinking in the muddy deep
Aint no way to make it to the other side
Hang your head and weep
I never did think Id be so blue, back in my younger days
But now Im a-headed down the river of fools
And I think Im 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
Im 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
Aint no way to make it to the other side
Hang your head and weep
I never did think Id be so blue, back in my younger days
But now Im a-headed down the river of fools
And I think Im gonna wash away
But now Im a-headed down the river of fools
And I think Im gonna wash away