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