Traveling Man (1973 Version)

The man I loved had a selling 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 because I didn't told her
But she wouldn't understand
Me stepping out with a traveling man

Mama didn't allow me going courting
And I'd tell lies that I reckon I oughtn't
Oh, but she'd give me the back of her hand
If she'd seen me with that traveling man
So I tell my mama that I reckon I ought to
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

That traveling man was a two-time lover
He took my love then he took my mother
But I didn't know because mama didn't told me and I don't understand
Mama running off with my traveling man
I'm really going to miss that traveling man