The Preacher

Lyrics

[Verse 1] A Preacher rode on into town, on a mare tall and black, Long black coat and silver hair beneath his old black hat, A battered old Bible beneath his arm and a Colt strapped to his hip, Polished metal shining there, with twenty notches on its grip. He tied that mare by the old saloon, Looked up at the burning sky, Said, "I'm here to save the sinners..." Then someone in the background laughed, "I'd like to see you try !." [Chorus] The preacher carried a six-gun, And a Bible worn and black, He'd offer you salvation, But he'd never turn his back. He'd pray for your forgiveness, While he pulled the hammer back, You could meet the Lord on Sunday... Or meet the Devil on the Hellbound track. [Verse 2] Now the Jackson boys had ruled that town, Since the sheriff disappeared, They burned the church, shot three men down, And everybody lived in fear. They walked from the saloon and blocked his way, Five brothers standing there, The eldest laughed, "You picked the wrong damn day," The preacher said, "Say your prayers." [Chorus] The preacher carried a six-gun, And a Bible worn and black, He'd offer you salvation, But he'd never turn his back. He'd pray for your forgiveness, While he pulled the hammer back, You could meet the Lord on Sunday... Or meet the Devil on the Hellbound track. [Verse 3] The eldest, Jake, reached for his gun, But the preacher's was already drawn, The first shot dropped him beneath the sun, Then the second brother, gone. The other three ran, took to their feet, As the townsfolk hid inside, The preacher stood there in the street, Said, "There's nowhere left to hide." [Verse 4] A shot tore through the preacher's coat, Another hit the chapel door, He fired again through the gunsmoke, Another Jackson hit the floor. The last two brothers turned and ran, But one stopped and tried his luck, The preacher calmly raised the gun in his hand, Between the eyes that bullet struck. [Bridge – slower, deep gravelly voice] The youngest Son threw his pistol down, And fell there on his knees, Said "I promise i'll leave this town, but Preacher, don't shoot me please." The preacher looked at the frightened boy, Then slowly lowered his gun, Said, "The Lord forgives whenever He can... Now get on your horse... and run." [Verse 5] Next morning when the sun came through, That black mare had disappeared, Four fresh graves stood where wildflowers grew, And the town was free from fear. But he left his Bible on the chapel stand, And a warning to the Son, "If you ever come back, to this land... There'll be twenty-five notches on this gun." [Final Chorus] The preacher carried a six-gun, And a Bible worn and black, He'd offer you salvation, But he'd never turn his back. He'd pray for your forgiveness, While he pulled the hammer back, You could meet the Lord on Sunday... Or meet the Devil on the Hellbound track.