Traveling Man

The man I loved ran a salesman route
Selling goods from house to house
And I knew my mama would never stand
For me stepping out with no traveling man

My mama bought things that he was a'selling
But mama didn't know and I sure wouldn't telling
That behind her back I was making my plans
To meet somewhere with that traveling man

Oh, the traveling man was a good bit older
But a girl needs arms to hold her
My mama didn't know 'cause I didn't told her
My mama wouldn't understand
Me stepping out with a traveling man

Mama didn't allow me a'going courting
And I'd tell her lies that I reckon I oughtn't
Oh but she'd a'give me the back a' her hand
If she'd had seen me with that traveling man

So I tell my mama that I reckon I oughta
Go to the spring and fetch us some water
What mama didn't know is I had a plan
To meet down there with that traveling man

Now I make plans to run away
With that traveling man on a Saturday
Well, Saturday's here and here I stand
And there goes my mama with that traveling man

Oh, that traveling man was a two-time lover
He took my love then he took my mother
But I didn't know 'cause mama didn't told me and I don't understand
My mama running off with my traveling man

Mama, you know you oughtn't had done that
You just like my daddy, he ran off before I ever knowed him
You done ran-off with my traveling man
And I really don't think I ever knowed you either
Oh, there goes my mama with my traveling man
I'm really gonna miss that traveling man