As I was riding across the Mississippi
I stopped there and I cried
No use for a man to keep a mighty river
All dammed up inside
I jumped bail from the Sweetwater County
Now I'm on the run
On my head is a five number bounty
For a crime I never done
Take this letter to Laredo to the one I love
Tell her to stay low beneath the stars above
Her love is my only alibi
It's for her love I lie
Yeah, yeah, yeah
Why did Frankie have to pull the trigger?
Why did you have to hide?
Sheriff still thinks I was standing with her
It's for your love I lie
Love can make a free man a prisoner
Make an honest man lie
Love can be tough, love can be tender
It's my only alibi
Take this letter to Laredo to the one I love
Tell her to stay low beneath the stars above
Her love is my only alibi
It's for her love I lie
Yeah, yeah, yeah
Take this letter to Laredo to the one I love
Tell her to stay low beneath the stars above
Her love is my only alibi
It's for her love I lie
Yeah, yeah, yeah
Take this letter to Laredo
Tell her to stay low
Her love is my only alibi
It's for her love I lie
Yeah, yeah, yeah
Take this letter to Laredo
As I was riding across the Mississippi
I stopped there and I cried
No use for a man to keep a mighty river
All dammed up inside