[Verse 1]

Ol' catfish in the lake, we called him Big Jim

When I was a kid my only wish was to get my line in him

Skipped church one Sunday, rowed out and throwed in my line

Jim took that hook, pole, and me right over the side

[Verse 2]

Went driftin' down past old tires and rusty cans of beer

The angel of the lake whispered in my ear

"Before you choose your wish, son, you better think first

With every wish, there comes a curse"

[Verse 3]

I fell in love with beautiful Doreen

She was the prettiest thing this old town'd ever seen

I courted her and I made her mine

But I grew jealous whenever another man come walkin' down the line

[Verse 4]

And my jealousy made me treat her mean and cruel

She sighed, "Bobby, oh Bobby, you're such a fool

Don't you know before you choose your wish, you'd better think first?

'Cause with every wish, there comes a curse"

[Verse 5]

These days I sit around and laugh at the many rivers I've crossed

But on the far banks, there's always another forest where a man can get lost

Well, there in the high trees, love's bluebird glides

Guiding us 'cross to another river on the other side

[Verse 6]

And there, someone is waitin' with a look in her eyes

And though my heart's grown weary and more than a little bit shy

Tonight I'll drink from her waters to quench my thirst

And leave the angels to worry with every wish