I went down to the river, sat beneath the willow tree;
The dew dropped on those willow leaves
and it rolled right down on me,
And that's the reason I've got those weepin' willow blues.

I went up on the mountain, high as any girl could stand,
And looked down on the mean town that took away my lovin' man,
And that's the reason I've got those weepin' willow blues.

I heard the whistle blowin', the fireman ring the bell,
They're takin' away that willow tree that give me this weepin' spell,
And that's the reason I've got those weepin' willow blues.

When you're broken hearted and your man is out of town,
Go to the river, take the chains and sit 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 mornin' 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 to you!
That's the reason I've got those weepin' willow blues.