The Red Headed Stranger (Live Version) - Willie Nelson

Rode into town one day

And under his knees was a ragin' black stallion

And walkin' behind was a bay

The red-headed stranger had eyes like the thunder

And his lips they were sad and tight

His little lost love lay asleep on the hillside

And his heart was heavy as night

Don't cross him don't boss him

He's wild in his sorrow:

He's ridin' an' hidin his pain

Don't fight him don't spite him;

Just wait till tomorrow

Maybe he'll ride on again

A yellow-haired lady leaned out of her window

An' 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 dancin' bay pony

Meant more to him than life

For this was the horse that his little lost darlin'

Had ridden when she was his wife

Don't cross him don't boss him

He's wild in his sorrow:

He's ridin' an' hidin his pain

Don't fight him don't spite him;

Just wait till tomorrow

Maybe he'll ride on again

The yellow-haired lady came down to the tavern

An' looked up the stranger there

He bought her a drink an' he gave her some money

He just didn't seem to care

She followed him out as he saddled his stallion

An' laughed as she grabbed at the bay

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 ridin' an' hidin his pain

Don't fight him don't spite him;

Just wait till tomorrow

Maybe he'll ride on again"

The yellow-haired lady was buried at sunset;

The stranger went free of course

For you can't hang a man for killin' a woman

Who's tryin' to steal your horse

Tthis is the tale of the red headed stranger

And if he should pass your way

Stay out of the path of the ragin' black stallion

And don't lay a hand on the bay

Don't cross him don't boss him

He's wild in his sorrow:

He's ridin' an' hidin his pain

Don't fight him don't spite him;

Just wait till tomorrow

Maybe he'll ride on again