As I write this to you darling I can't hold the teardrops from my eyes For at sundown I will lay a dying at the door of the Fool's Paradise Rode into this cattle town morning left my bearer to check the market price And I walked into the nearest barroom they call it the Paradise There the crowd was gay and girls were dancing And the men were playing cards and dies I stepped to the bar to join them what a grand place this Fool's Paradise It was then I showed to them your picture I passed it around once or twice Then a man insulted your sweet honor the bar of the Fool's Paradise
So I slapped his and I told him I said you eat 'em words Mister or draw that's my advice And he said well somebody get hurty inside But I'll be glad to meet you in the street at sundown At sundown in front the Fool's Paradise So goodbye my darling may God bless you go to make this sacrifice And if ever you visit old Dodge City remember the Fool's Paradise