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.