Near Cheyenne in Wyoming, there's a maiden fine and fair
Her eyes they shone like diamonds, she had long and golden hair
When the cattleman came riding, he came to her father's door
Mounted on a milkwhite pony, he came at the stroke of four

Step it out Nancy, pretty darling
Step it out Nancy, if you can
Step it out Nancy, pretty darling
Show your legs to the wealthy man

I've come to court your daughter, Nancy of the golden hair
I have wealth and I have money, I have goods beyond compare
I will buy her silks and satins and a gold ring for her hand
I will build for her a mansion, she'll have servants to command

Can't you see I love a cowboy, and I've promised him my hand
I don't want your goods and money,   I don't want your house and land
Nancy's father spoke up sharply, said you'll do as you are told
You'll be married on a Sunday, you will wear the ring of gold

Step it out Nancy, pretty darling
Step it out Nancy, if you can
Step it out Nancy, pretty darling
Show your legs to the wealthy man

The cattleman spoke with fury, said you will not have that man
And he rode from town in anger with his rifle in his hand
He came back from Colorado, on his pony wa a sack
Deep red with the blood of the cowboy, slung across his back

Pretty Nancy cried in anguish, she wept and tore her hair
She slipped into her father's room, found a pistol lying there
On the Sunday came the wedding the town's folk gathered at noon
They saw Nancy pull the pistol and shoot down that wealthy man

Step it out Nancy, pretty darling
Step it out Nancy, if you can
Step it out Nancy, pretty darling
Show your legs to the wealthy man

Nancy said, I am not sorry, when the jury heard her tale
Though he rots beneath the ground and I shall rot in jail
There in the crowded courtroom, twelve good men took their stand
Said we will not hold you, Nancy, for killing that wealthy man

Step it out Nancy, pretty darling
Step it out Nancy, if you can
Step it out Nancy, pretty darling
Show your legs to the wealthy man

I hope you get my meaning, it is not that murder pays
But that women must not be bought and sold, neither then nor nowadays
We will choose our lovers, we’ll live out our own lives
We’ll love whom we please with a passion and a sparkle in our eyes

Step it out Nancy, pretty darling
Step it out Nancy, if you can
Step it out Nancy, pretty darling
Show your legs to the wealthy man

Step it out Nancy, pretty darling
Step it out Nancy, if you can
Step it out Nancy, pretty darling
Show your legs to the wealthy man