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 Instrumental close PART TWO:
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 k**in's begun PART THREE: 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