Red Headed Stranger - Live from Austin City Limits

Now the red-headed stranger from Blue Rock, Montana

Rode into town one day

And under his knees was a ragin' black stallion

And walkin' behind was a bay

And the red-headed stranger had eyes like the thunder

And lips that were sad and tired

And his little lost love lay asleep on the hillside

And his heart was heavy as night

So, don't cross him, don't boss him

He's wild in his sorrow

He's ridin' and hidin' his pain

Don't fight him, don't spite him

Just wait 'til tomorrow

Maybe he'll ride on again

A yellow-haired lady leaned out of her window

And watched as he passed her way

She drew back in fear at the sight of the stallion

But cast greedy eyes on the bay

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

So don't cross him, don't boss him

He's wild in his sorrow

And he's ridin' and hidin' his pain

Don't fight him, don't spite him

Just wait 'til tomorrow

Maybe he'll ride on again

And the yellow-haired lady came down to the tavern

And looked up to the stranger there

And 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 when she grabbed at the bay

But he shot her so quick, they had no time to warn her

And she never heard anyone say

Don't cross him, don't boss him

'Cause he's wild in his sorrow

He's ridin' and hidin' his pain

Don't fight him, don't spite him

Just wait 'til 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

Now this 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

And don't cross him, don't boss him

'Cause he's wild in his sorrow

He's ridin' and hidin' his pain

Don't fight him, don't spite him

Just wait 'til tomorrow

Maybe he'll ride on again