[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