I pulled into Nazareth, was feelin' 'bout half past dead;
I just need some place where I can lay my head.
"Hey, mister, can you tell me where a man might find a bed?"
He just grinned and shook my hand, and "No!", was all he said.

Take a load off [bad word]  take a load for free;
Take a load off [bad word]  and (and) (and) you can put the load right on me.

I picked up my bag, I went lookin' for a place to hide;
When I saw Carmen and the Devil walkin' side by side.
I said, "Hey, [bad word] on, let's go downtown."
She said, "I gotta go, but my friend can stick around."

Take a load off [bad word]  take a load for free;
Take a load off [bad word]  and (and) (and) you can put the load right on me.

Go down, Miss Moses, there's nothin' you can say
It's just old Luke, and Luke's waitin' on the Judgment Day.
"Well, Luke, my friend, what about young Anna Lee?"
He said, "Do me a favor, son, won't you stay and keep Anna [bad word] "

Take a load off [bad word]  take a load for free;
Take a load off [bad word]  and (and) (and) you can put the load right on me.

Crazy Chester followed me, and he caught me in the fog.
He said, "I will fix your rack, if you'll take Jack, my dog."
I said, "Wait a minute, Chester, you know I'm a peaceful man."
He said, "That's okay, boy, won't you feed him when you can."

Take a load off [bad word]  take a load for free;
Take a load off [bad word]  and (and) (and) you can put the load right on me.

Catch a cannon ball now, to take me down the line
My bag is sinkin' low and I do believe it's time.
To get back to Miss [bad word]  you know she's the only one.
Who sent me here with her regards for everyone.

Take a load off [bad word]  take a load for free;
Take a load off [bad word]  and (and) (and) you can put the load right on me.