Traveling Man

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 ^[1]