River of Fools

[Intro]
Well I had a little gal named Shel Marie
Cold black hair and eyes of green
Gave her all my love, she never was true
Took me on a ride down the River of Fools

[Verse 1]
There's a dirty alligator just a-laughin' at me
Jokin' with the buzzards and the snakes in the trees
Tried to get away but it ain't no use
Now I'm a-headed down the River of Fools

[Chorus]
On the River of Fools, long and wide
Sinkin' in the muddy deep
Ain't no way to make it to the other side
Hang your head and weep
Oh, 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

[Verse 2]
I'm gonna hop a little ride from 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

[Verse 3]
I'm like a big old catfish hangin' on a line
Drinkin' foggy champagne and salamander wine
Twiddle my fingers and a-singin' my song
All the good times are past and gone

[Chorus]
Yeah, on the River of Fools, long and wide
Sinkin' in the muddy deep
Ain't no way to make it to the other side
Hang your head and weep
Oh, 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
Oh now I'm a-headed down the River of Fools
And I think I'm gonna wash away