I'm Goin' Fishing

Lyrics: Traditional
Music: Traditional

Often also titled "Fishing `blues". Robert Hunter sang this at least a couple of times in 1998.

In his journal for 29 November 1967, Robert Hunter wrote:

Playing "I'm a Goin' Fishin" a lot these days. Always wanted to have a good finger picking version of that under my belt. Michael O'Connolly (of the New Delhi River Band) did the best rendition I've ever heard. Problem with the song is it doesn't really have lyrics except for the great refrain. Henry Thomas, the source on the Smith collection, just mumbles some words that don't exactly connect or rhyme. Don't know if there's an earlier source. Guess I'll make some up. As far as I'm concerned, that's part of the folk process.

I'm a-goin' fishing all the time, ain't you goin' fishing too
Bet your life your lovin' wife will catch more fish than you
I've got something to relate
Any fish will bite if you got good bait
I'm a-goin' fishing, we're a-goin' fishing, baby's goin' fishing too

I'm goin' down to my favorite hole, where the river runs chilly and wide
Over on the far side of the swamp about a forty five minute ride
You get there quicker if you take your time
Barefoot through the bushes with a hook and line
I'm a-goin' fishing, baby goin' fishing, I'm a-goin' fishing too

[Gonna get me a] pole and line
Catch a nine pound catfish and home before suppertime
Put them in the pot, put them in the pan, cook them till they're nice and brown
Put them on a plate and slop on the gravy, whiskey to wash it down
I've got something to relate
Any fish will bite if you got good bait
I'm a-goin' fishing, baby goin' fishing, I'm a-goin' fishing too

You know you're about to drive me out of my mind, say can I go fishing with you
Get down to the fishing hole, what's the first thing we do
Scare all the fish to the bottom of the pond
Laughing and singing and carrying on
I'm a-goin' fishing, we're a-goin' fishing, baby goin' fishing too

Haul in the line, haul in the line, fish don't bite in the winter time
Put on an overcoat, put on two, still go fishing with you
I've got something to relate
The fish still bite if you got good bait
I'm a-goin' fishing, mama's a-goin' fishing, baby's goin' fishing too

I see you're goin' fishing all the time, I'm goin' fishing too
I've got something to relate
Any fish will bite if you got good bait
I'm a-goin' fishing, we're a-goin' fishing, baby goin' fishing too

Bet you goin' fishin' all of the time
Baby goin' fishin' too
Bet your life that your sweet wife
Will catch more fish than you

Many fish bites if you got good bait
Here's a little tip that I'd like to relate
Many fish bites if you got good bait
I'm a-goin' fishin', yes, I'm goin' fishin', and my baby goin' fishin' too

I went on down to my favorite fishin' hole
Baby, grabbed me a pole and line
Throw my pole on in, caught a nine-pound catfish
Now I brought him home for suppertime

Proving many fish bites if you got good bait
Here's a little tip that I'd like to relate
Many fish bites if you got good bait
I'm a-goin' fishin', yes, I'm goin' fishin', and my baby goin' fishin' too

Baby brother 'bout to run me out of my mind
Sayin', can't I go fishin' with you
I took him on down to the fishin' hole
Now what do you think that he did do
Pulled a great big fish out the bottom of the pond
Now he laughed and jumped 'cause he was real gone

Many fish bites if you got good bait
I'm a-goin' fishin', yes, I'm goin' fishin', and my baby goin' fishin' too

Put him in the pot, baby, put him in the pan, honey
Cook him till he's nice and brown
Make a batch of buttermilk hoecakes, mama
Then chew those things and chomp 'em on down

Singing many fish bites if you got good bait
Here's a little tip that I'd like to relate
Many fish bites if you got good bait
I'm a-goin' fishin', yes, I'm goin' fishin', and my baby goin' fishin' too

Bet you goin' fishin' all of the time
Baby goin' fishin' too
Bet your life that your sweet wife
She gonna catch more fish than you

Many fish bites if you got good bait
Here's a little tip that I'd like to relate
Many fish bites if you got good bait
I'm a-goin' fishin', mama's goin' fishin', and my baby goin' fishin' too