River Bottom

Take me down to that river bottom, boys
Let me loaf around and take my time
Let me look at that place where I last saw her face
Let me sit down and think about my crime, boys
What I done to that pretty gal of mine

Well, that sheriff's comin', I don't care
His bloodhounds are suckin' up the air
They're comin' after a while to make me walk that last mile
But I ain't gonna cry, gonna smile
'Cause it made me feel so good to see her die

Take me down to that river bottom, boys
Let me walk along that shady river lane
Let me stand once again where she took a hundred men
Where I first felt the squeeze of her chain, boys
Used to laugh at me when I's in pain

Oh, that holy angel and her dream
With that big ugly devil 'neath her skin
She was shy, she was bold, sweet, warm, I've been told
Now her hot body glows in the cold
And her ghost slips among the sugar cane

Last night I dreamed I was there
Looking down at her face, pale and fair
With the red eyes and blue gills swimmin' and weepin'
All through her long streamin' hair

Take me down to that river bottom, boys
Let me loaf around and take my ease
Let me sit on that stump where she took that long jump
With my clothesline tied around her knees, boys
Cheatin' hands a-clutchin' at the breeze

Where she went straight down to her death
With that cussin' and whiskey on her breath
And them lies from before couldn't help her anymore
And I laughed just to see her singin' low
Just to know I put an end to that disease
Just to know I put an end to that disease