The man I loved ran a salesman route Selling goods from house to house Now I knew my mama would never stand For me stepping out with no traveling man Mama bought things that he was a'selling But mama didn't know and I sure wasn't telling That behind her back I was making 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 Mama didn't know 'cause I didn't told her But mama wouldn't understand Me stepping out with a traveling man
Mama didn't allow me a'going courting And I'd tell lies that I reckon I oughtn't Oh but she'd a'give me the back a' her hand If she'd a'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 a'done that You just like my daddy He run off before I ever knowed him You done run-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 And I'm really gonna miss that traveling man Mm-hm
