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 
The red-headed stranger had eyes like the 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 

Don't cross him, don't boss him 
He's wild in his sorrow 
He's ridin' an' hidin his pain 
Don't fight him, don't spite him 
Just wait till tomorrow 
Maybe he'll ride on again 

A yellow-haired lady leaned out of her window 
An' 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 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 

Don't cross him, don't boss him 
He's wild in his sorrow 
He's ridin' an' hidin his pain 
Don't fight him, don't spite him 
Just wait till tomorrow 
Maybe he'll ride on again 

The yellow-haired lady came down to the tavern 
An' looked up the stranger there 
He bought her a drink, an' he gave her some money 
He just didn't seem to care 
She followed him out as he saddled his stallion 
An' laughed as she grabbed at the bay 
He shot her so quick, they had no time to warn her 
She never heard anyone say 

Don't cross him, don't boss him 
He's wild in his sorrow 
He's ridin' an' hidin his pain 
Don't fight him, don't spite him 
Just wait till 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 
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 

Don't cross him, don't boss him 
He's wild in his sorrow 
He's ridin' an' hidin his pain 
Don't fight him, don't spite him 
Just wait till tomorrow 
Maybe he'll ride on again