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