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