| 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. |