It was back in the old days
In the time of my grief
When the ladies all disowned me
And my lungs could scarcely breathe
And the wildlife was growing wilder by the day
And I stuck to myself mostly
There was a band of brothers who rode unto me
Throwing accusations I could rarely see
They put a hand upon me
And hung me upside down
And then emptied out my pockets
And kicked me on the ground
They took out the hot poker
And branded on my chest
Twisted my ear off
Gasoline on my vest
Set me all a-flaming
Periled and defeated
Pelted me with stones
That felt like certain death
They went on to my lady
And made her kneel low
Tore all her hair loose
And cut through her clothes
Laughed and they hollered
And they painted the horses orange
Put the kids together
And tied them to the porch
Then blaze upon blaze
Did the devils rally 'round
With rifles and sticks
Did they pound on the ground
I rambled and I tumbled
And I fell to my feet
And I never knew
The sweat of Satan
Tasted so sweet