As I was riding across the Mississippi stopped there and I cried
No use for a man to keep a mighty river all dammed up inside
I jumped bail from the Sweet water 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 one I love
Tell her to stay low, beneath the stars above
Her love is my only alibi, it's for her love I lied
Yeah, yeah, yeah

Why did Frankie have to pull that trigger? Why did you have to hide?
Sheriff still thinks I was standing with her, it's for her love I lied
Love will 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 one I love
Tell her to stay low, beneath the stars above
Her love is my only alibi, it's for her love I lied
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 lied
Yeah, yeah

Take this letter to Laredo
Tell her to stay low
Her love is my only alibi
It's for her love I lied
Yeah, yeah

Take this letter to Laredo
Hey, hey, hey, hey