Chords with lyrics
Tuning: Standard (
E MajorE 
A augmentedA 
D MajorD 
G+G 
BB E MajorE)
ATTENTION: a bit special counting when first meeting this song
COUNTS B4 A4 A4 A2 E4 E4 E4 E4
Intro:
BB X4
Verse 1:
BB A augmentedA A augmentedA A augmentedA E MajorE E MajorE E MajorE E MajorE
The man I loved ran a salesman route, selling goods from house to house.
BB A augmentedA A augmentedA A augmentedA E MajorE E MajorE E MajorE E MajorE
Now, I knew my mama would never stand for me stepping out with no traveling man.
BB A augmentedA A augmentedA A augmentedA E MajorE E MajorE E MajorE E MajorE
My mama bought things that he was a'selling but mama didn't know and I sure wasn't telling
BB A augmentedA A augmentedA A augmentedA E MajorE E MajorE E MajorE E MajorE
that behind her back I was making my plans to meet somewhere with that traveling man.
Chorus:
E MajorE A augmentedA
Oh, the traveling man was a good bit older
B7B7 E MajorE
but a girl needs arms to hold her.
E MajorE D MajorD
Mama didn't know because I didn't told her
D MajorD E MajorE
but mama wouldn't understand:
N.C.
me stepping out with a traveling man.
Interlude:
BB X4
Verse 2:
BB A augmentedA A augmentedA A augmentedA E MajorE E MajorE E MajorE E MajorE
Mama didn't allow me going courting and I'd tell lies that I reckon I oughtn't.
BB A augmentedA A augmentedA A augmentedA E MajorE E MajorE E MajorE E MajorE
Oh, but she'd give me the back her hand if she'd seen me with that traveling man.
BB A augmentedA A augmentedA A augmentedA E MajorE E MajorE E MajorE E MajorE
So, I tell my mama that I reckon I ought to go to the spring and fetch us some water.
BB A augmentedA A augmentedA A augmentedA E MajorE E MajorE E MajorE E MajorE
What mama didn't know is: I had a plan to meet down there with that traveling man.
Verse 3:
BB A augmentedA A augmentedA A augmentedA E MajorE E MajorE E MajorE E MajorE
Now I make plans to run away with that traveling man on a Saturday.
BB A augmentedA A augmentedA A augmentedA E MajorE E MajorE E MajorE E MajorE
Well, Saturday's here and here I stand and there goes my mama with that traveling man.
Chorus:
E MajorE A augmentedA
Oh, that traveling man was a two-time lover,
B7B7 E MajorE
he took my love then he took my mother.
E MajorE D MajorD
But I didn't know because my mama didn't tell me
D MajorD E MajorE
and I don't understand:
N.C.
my mama running off with my traveling man.
Outro:
BB
Mmm. Mama, you know you oughtn't done that you just like my daddy:
BB
he run off before I ever know him.
BB
You done run-off with my traveling man
BB
and I really don't think I ever know you either.
BB
Oh, there goes my mama with my traveling man
BB
and I'm really going to miss that traveling man. Mm-hm
