"Traveling Man" Lyrics

(Dolly Parton)

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.

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 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.