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 throw'd in my line
Jim took that hook pole and me right over the side
Went driftin' down past old tires and rusty cans of beer
The angel of the lake whispered in my ear
"Before you chose your wish son
You better think first
With every wish there comes a curse"

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'd
Come walkin' down the line
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"

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
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

Copyright: Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Writer(s): BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN