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

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

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