It was the time of the preacher when the story began.

Of the choice of a lady and the love of a man.

How he loved her so dearly, he went out of his mind.

When she left him for someone, she'd left behind.



An' he cried like a baby;

He screamed like a panther in the middle of the night.

An' he saddled his pony,

An he went for a ride.



It was the time of the preacher in the year of 01.

Now the preachin' is over and the lesson's begun.



Instrumental close.



PART TWO:



But he could not forgive her,

Though he tried and tried and tried.

And the halls of his memories,

Still echo her lies.



He cried like a baby;

He screamed like a panther in the middle of the night.

An' he saddled his pony,

An he went for a ride.



It was the time of the preacher in the year of 01.

Now the lesson is over and the killin's begun.



PART THREE:



It was the time of the preacher in the year of 01.

An' just when you think it's all over, it's only begun.