B      X4

[Verse 1]
    B                 A               A                  A        E    E   E   E
The man I loved ran a salesman route, selling goods from house to house.
       B                  A               A                       A         E    E   E   E
Now, I knew my mama would never stand for me stepping out with no traveling man.
   B                       A                    A                      A           E    E   E   E
My mama bought things that he was a'selling but mama didn't know and I sure wasn't telling
       B                   A                  A                        A         E    E   E   E
that behind her back I was making my plans to meet somewhere with that traveling man.

[Chorus]
        E                   A
Oh, the traveling man was a good bit older
B7                 E
  but a girl needs arms to hold her.
E                        D
Mama didn't know because I didn't told her
    D                  E
but mama wouldn't understand:
N.C.
me stepping out with a traveling man.

[Interlude]
B      X4

[Verse 2]
B                    A                  A                    A        E    E   E   E
Mama didn't allow me going courting and I'd tell lies that I reckon I oughtn't.
        B                 A                A                       A         E    E   E   E
Oh, but she'd give me the back her hand if she'd seen me with that traveling man.
      B                   A                 A                    A             E    E   E   E
So, I tell my mama that I reckon I ought to go to the spring and fetch us some water.
     B                    A               A                         A         E    E   E   E
What mama didn't know is: I had a plan to meet down there with that traveling man.

[Verse 3]
    B               A                  A                  A    E    E   E   E
Now I make plans to run away with that traveling man on a Saturday.
      B                   A                A                            A         E    E   E   E
Well, Saturday's here and here I stand and there goes my mama with that traveling man.

[Chorus]
         E                   A
Oh, that traveling man was a two-time lover,
   B7                   E
he took my love then he took my mother.
    E                        D
But I didn't know because my mama didn't tell me
    D            E
and I don't understand:
   N.C.
my mama running off with my traveling man.

[Outro]
B
Mmm. Mama, you know you oughtn't done that you just like my daddy:
B
he run off before I ever know him.
B
You done run-off with my traveling man
B
and I really don't think I ever know you either.
B
Oh, there goes my mama with my traveling man
B
and I'm really going to miss that traveling man. Mm-hm