Standard Tuning, No Capo
[Verse 1]
D
The red headed stranger from Blue Rock, Montana,
A
Rode into town one day.
D G D
And under his knees, was a raging black stallion,
E A
Walking behind was a bay.
D
The red headed stranger had eyes like thunder,
A
And his lips they were sad and tired.
D G D
His little lost love lay asleep on the hillside,
A D G D
And his heart was as heavy as night.
[Chorus]
G
Don't cross him, don't boss him,
D
He's wild in his sorrow,
A7
Ridin' and hidin' his pain.
G
Don't fight him, don't spite him,
D
Just wait 'til tomorrow,
A D G D/F# D G D/F#
Maybe he'll ride on again.
[Verse 2]
D
Yellow haired lady leaned out of her window,
A
Watched as he passed her way.
D G D
She drew back in fear at the sight of the stallion,
E A
But cast greedy eyes on the bay.
D
How could she know that the dancin' bay pony
A
Meant more to him than life?
D G D
This was the horse that his little lost darlin'
A D
Had ridden when she was his wife.
[Chorus]
G
Don't cross him, don't boss him,
D
He's wild in his sorrow,
A7
Ridin' and hidin' his pain.
G
Don't fight him, don't spite him,
D
Just wait 'til tomorrow,
A D G D/F# D G D/F#
Maybe he'll ride on again.
[Verse 3]
D
Yellow haired lady came down to the tavern,
A
And looked up the stranger there.
D G D
He bought her a drink and gave her some money,
E A
He just didn't seem to care.
D
She followed him out as he saddled the stallion,
A
And laughed as she grabbed at the bay.
D G D
He shot her so quick they had no time to warn her,
A D
She never heard anyone say:
[Chorus]
G
Don't cross him, don't boss him,
D
He's wild in his sorrow,
A7
Ridin' and hidin' his pain.
G
Don't fight him, don't spite him,
D
Just wait 'til tomorrow,
A D G D/F# D G D/F#
Maybe he'll ride on again.
[Verse 4]
D
The yellow haired lady was buried at sunset,
A
The stranger went free of course.
D G D
For you can't hang a man for killing a woman,
E A
Who's trying to steal your horse.
D
This is the tale of the red headed stranger
A
And if he should pass your way,
D G D
Stay out of path of the ragin' black stallion
A D
And don't lay a hand on the bay.
[Chorus]
G
Don't cross him, don't boss him,
D
He's wild in his sorrow,
A7
Ridin' and hidin' his pain.
G
Don't fight him, don't spite him,
D
Just wait 'til tomorrow,
A D G D/F# D G D/F#
Maybe he'll ride on again.
