The Stranger on the Outer Barcoo
On the outer Barcoo, where the churches are few,
and men of religion are scanty.
Some high-steppin gals danced in the saloon,
and of course, each was wearin no panty.
Nearly all of the men from the outback came in
to taste of the bar tender’s brewin,
And when they could see a dancer’s bare knee,
they thought what they’d like to be doin.
Then a stranger strolled through the door, and they knew
he’s a preacher; he’s wearin a collar.
“Come in, have a beer, or get out of here,”
They began then to all shout and holler.
The stranger then smiled, and he got them unriled.
“Some troopers,” he told them, “done brung me
to a tree that they found on the outskirts of town.
They strung me up there and they hung me.”
“There’s a big rope burn there, neath the collar I wear.
They was sure that they had killed me.
But no, I survived, like a cat with nine lives,
but the hatred for them has now filled me.”
“I’ll be now on my way, but I hope that some day
to my grandcildren I can relate
that I found all those men, and I’m guilty of sin
‘cause I blasted them all to hell’s gate.
On the outer Barcoo, churches there are still few
No preachers around to remind you
that if you do wrong, it will not be long
til the devil is goin to find you!