Don't you give up my young young friend

Here's a story I think will please

How sir Rastus Bear was in fact redeemed

Redeemed from the cell to which he'd been thrown

By men whose love was more for the ice and cold



Goblins of surcease, villains of wise

They pranced your brain all through the long long night

Sir Rastus Bear who'd ever believe

You'd be by a song redeemed?



Up on the north forty, I'm sure it was christmas day

When sir Rastus Bear taught children how to play

Games of life and love, and songs, oh, those songs

Oh those deep but true, healed (?) country songs



Goblins of surcease, villains of wise

They pranced your brain all through the long long night

Sir Rastus Bear who'd ever believe

You'd be by a song redeemed?



Redeemed, good lord, from the ice and cold

Redeemed from the cell to which I've been thrown

Redeemed by virtue, of a country song

And I believe that lord, It won't be long