One day I went meanderin' to find myself a wife A pretty miss to share my kiss and love me all my life The lonely bachelor's life I led began to get me down I bought a ring and everything and went right into town I went (meanderin', meanderin' Looking far and wide for a girl to be my bride I went meanderin', meanderin') Far from the old folks at home I ran into a friend of mine while wandering down the street He said he had a sister that I ought to meet He took me home to meet her but she weighed two hundred ten I shook my head and sadly said "oh here I go again" I went (meanderin', meanderin' Looking far and wide for a girl to be my bride I went meanderin', meanderin') Far from the old folks at home I came across a pretty girl who said she'd love me so But she would bring her mother with us everywhere we'd go I was so happy on the day she said she'd be my wife But when she told me her ma would live with us for life I went (meanderin', meanderin' Looking far and wide for a girl to be my bride I went meanderin', meanderin') Far from the old folks at home Finally found myself a wife a gal who's sweet and true And when I'm tempted to do something I shouldn't do Then I remember days when things are not like they are now Well I recall when I was just a bachelor and how I went meanderin', meanderin' For looking far and wide for a girl to be my bride I went meanderin', oh meanderin' Far from the old folks at home