These are the words of a frontier man

Who lost his love when he turned bad.

Take a message to Mary

But don't tell here where I am

Take a message to Mary

But don't say I'm in a jam

You can tell her that I had to see the world

Tell her that my ship set sail

You can say she'd better not wait for me

But don't tell her I'm in jail, oh don't tell her I'm in jail.

Take a message to Mary

But don't tell her what I've done

Please, don't mention the stage coach

And the shot from a carried gun

You better tell her that I had to change my plans

And cancel out the wedding-day

But please, don't mention the lonely cell

Where I'm gonna pine away, until my dying-day.

Take a message to Mary

But don't tell her all you know

My heart is aching for Mary
Lord know I miss her so

Just tell her that I went to Timbukto

Tell her I'm searching for gold

You can say she better find someone new

To cherish and to hold, oh Lord, this cell is so cold.