I pulled into Nazareth, was feelin´ about half past dead; I just need some place where I can lay my head. "Hey, mister, can you tell me where a man might find a bed?"
He just grinned and shook my hand, and "No!", was all he said.
(Chorus:) Take a load off Annie, take a load for free; Take a load off Annie, And (and) (and) you can put the load right on me.
I picked up my bag, I went lookin´ for a place to hide; When I saw Carmen and the Devil walkin´ side by side. I said, "Hey, Carmen, come on, let´s go downtown." She said, "I gotta go, but m´friend can stick around."
(Chorus)
Go down, Miss Moses, there´s nothin´ you can say It´s just ol´ Luke, and Luke´s waitin´ on the Judgement Day. "Well, Luke, my friend, what about young Anna Lee?" He said, "Do me a favor, son, woncha stay an´ keep Anna Lee company?"
(Chorus)
Crazy Chester followed me, and he caught me in the fog. He said, "I will fix your rack, if you´ll take Jack, my dog." I said, "Wait a minute, Chester, you know I´m a peaceful man." He said, "That´s okay, boy, won´t you feed him when you can."
(Chorus)
Catch a cannon ball now, t´take me down the line My bag is sinkin´ low and I do believe it´s time. To get back to Miss Annie, you know she´s the only one. Who sent me here with her regards for everyone.