Traveling Man

Album: Coat Of Many Colors (1971)
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  • Mm, hmm, mm, hmm

    The man I loved ran a salesman route
    Selling goods from house to house (mm, hmm)
    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 wasn't telling
    That behind her back I was making my plans
    To meet somewhere with that traveling man (mm, hmm)

    Oh, the traveling man was a good bit older
    But a girl needs arms to hold her
    And 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 (mm, hmm)

    So I tell my mama that I reckon I oughta
    Go to the spring and fetch us some water
    But 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 (mm, hmm)

    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

    (Mm, hmm) traveling man

    Mammy, 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
    I'm really gonna miss that traveling man
    Mm, hmm, mm, hmm, hmm, hmm, hmm Writer/s: Dolly Parton
    Publisher: Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
    Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

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