Billy Barlow was a poor boy
That's why he robbed the Union Grove Bank
He was a sweet talking ladies man
That's what he'd have ladies all to think

Oh the secret to a long life's knowing when it's time to go
Oh the secret to a long life's knowing when it's time to go

So when the posse came riding
Billy went hiding down south
Holed up in a shack with Maria
With the black hair and the ruby red mouth

Oh the secret to a long life's knowing when it's time to go
Oh the secret to a long life's knowing when it's time to go

So when the news reached her lover
Billy ran for cover, don't you know
And when the bullets started ringing
Billy started singing "Time to go..."

Oh the secret to a long life's knowing when it's time to go
Oh the secret to a long life's knowing when it's time to go
Ohhhh, time to go now!

Billy headed north where the sands of the Badlands blow
But in his dreams he's south
He's still kissing that ruby red mouth

Oh the secret to a long life's knowing when it's time to go
Oh the secret to a long life's knowing when it's time to go
Ohhhhhhhhhh, ohhhhhhhhhh, ohhhhhhhhhh

The secret to a long life's knowing when it's time to go
The secret to a long life's knowing when it's time to go
The secret to a long life's knowing when it's time to go