It was the time of the preacher

When the story began

Of the choice of a lady

And the love of a man



And how he loved her so dearly

He went out of his mind

When she left him for someone

She'd left behind



He cried like a baby

He screamed like a panther

In the middle of the night

And he saddled his pony

And he went for a ride



It was the time of the preacher

In the year of '01

Now the preaching is over

And the lesson's begun



But he could not forgive her

Though he tried and he tried and he tried

And the halls of his memory

Still echo her lies



He cried like a baby

He screamed like a panther

In the middle of the night

And he saddled his pony

And he went for a ride



It was the time of the preacher

In the year of '01

Now the lesson is over

And the killing's begun



It was the time of the preacher

In the year of '01

When you think it's all over

It's only begun