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