Willie Nelson — Red Headed Stranger Live 1978

[Verse 1] The red-headed stranger from Blue Rock, Montana Rode into town one day And under his knees was a raging black stallion And walking behind was a bay The red-headed stranger had eyes like 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 [Chorus] Don't cross him, don't boss him He's wild in his sorrow He's riding and hiding his pain Don't fight him, don't spite him Just wait 'til tomorrow Maybe he'll ride on again [Verse 2] 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 But how could she know that this dancing bay pony Meant more to him than life? For this was the horse that his little lost darling Had ridden when she was his wife [Chorus] Don't cross him, don't boss him He's wild in his sorrow He's riding and hiding his pain Don't fight him, don't spite him Just wait till tomorrow Maybe he'll ride on again [Verse 3] The yellow-haired lady came down to the tavern And looked up the stranger there 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 as she grabbed at the bay He shot her so quick, they had no time to warn her She never heard anyone say [Chorus] "Don't cross him, don't boss him "He's wild in his sorrow "He's riding and hiding his pain "Don't fight him, don't spite him "Just wait 'til tomorrow "Maybe he'll ride on again" [Verse 4] The yellow-haired lady was buried at sunset The stranger went free, of course For you can't hang a man for killing a woman Who's trying to steal your horse This is the tale of the red headed stranger And if he should pass your way Stay out of the path of the raging black stallion And don't lay a hand on the bay [Chorus] Don't cross him, don't boss him He's wild in his sorrow He's riding and hiding his pain Don't fight him, don't spite him Just wait till tomorrow Maybe he'll ride on again