I went down to the river, br I set down on the bank. br I tried to think but couldn't, br So I jumped in and sank. br br I came up once and hollered! br I came up twice and cried! br If that water hadn't a-been so cold br I might've sunk and died. br br But it was Cold in that water! It was cold! br br I took the elevator br Sixteen floors above the ground. br I thought about my baby br And thought I would jump down. br br I stood there and I hollered! br I stood there and I cried! br If it hadn't a-been so high br I might've jumped and died. br br But it was High up there! It was high! br br So since I'm still here livin', br I guess I will live on. br I could've died for love-- br But for livin' I was born br br Though you may hear me holler, br And you may see me cry-- br I'll be dogged, sweet baby, br If you gonna see me die.