Red Headed Stranger

(album: Thereby Hangs A Tale - 1959)

The red headed stranger from Blue Rock Montana
Rode into town one day
And under his knees was a raging black stallion
And loping behind was a bay

The red headed stranger had eyes like the thunder
His lips that were sad and tight
His little lost love lay asleep on the hillside
His heart was heavy as night

Don't cross him don't boss him, he's wild in his sorrow
He's riding and hiding his pain
Don't fight him, don't spite him just wait till tomorrow
Maybe he'll ride on again

A yellow haired woman leaned out of her window
Watched as he passed her way
She drew back in fear at the sight of the stallion
But cast greedy eyes on the bay

But how could she know that this dancing bay pony
Meant more to him than life
For this was the horse his little lost darling was ridden
When she was his wife

The yellow haired lady came down to the tavern
Looked up the stranger there
He bought her a drink and he gave her some money
He just didn't seem to care

She followed him out as he saddled his stallion
And laughed as she grabbed at the bay
But he shot her so quick they had no time to warn her
She never heard anyone say

Don't cross him, don't boss him, he's wild in his sorrow
He's riding and hiding his pain
Don't fight him, don't spite him just wait till tomorrow
Maybe he'll ride on again

They buried the yellow haired woman at sunset
The stranger went free of course
'Cause you can't hang a man for shooting a woman
Who's a trying to steal your horse

Don't cross him, don't boss him, he's wild in his sorrow
He's riding and hiding his pain
Don't fight him, don't spite him just wait till tomorrow
Maybe he'll ride on again...