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