I gotta right to sing the blues
  I gotta right to feel low-down
  I gotta right to hang around
  Down around the river
  
  A certain gal in this old town
  Keeps draggin' my poor (old) heart around
  All I see, for me is - misery
  
  I gotta right to sing the blues
  I gotta right to moan and sigh
  I gotta right to sit and cry
  Down around the river
  
  I know the deep blue sea
  Will soon be callin' me
  It must be love - say what you choose
  I gotta right to sing the blues