I lit out from Reno
I was trailed by twenty hounds
Didn't get to sleep last night
Till the morning came around

I set out running but I take my time
A friend of the Devil is a friend of mine
If I get home before daylight
I just might get some sleep tonight

I ran into the Devil,
He loaned me twenty bills
I spent that night in Utah
In a cave up in the hills

I set out running but I take my time
A friend of the devil is a friend of mine
If I get home before daylight
Just might get some sleep tonight

I ran down to the levee
But the Devil caught me there
He took my twenty dollar bill
And he vanished in the air

I set out running but I take my time
A friend of the Devil is a friend of mine
If I get home before daylight
Just might get some sleep tonight

Got two reasons why I cry away each lonely night
First one's named sweet Anne Marie and she's my heart's delight
Second one is prison, baby the sheriff's on my trail
If he catches up with me I'll spend my life in jail

Got a wife in Chino, baby
And one in Cherokee
First one says she's got my child
But it don't look like me

I set out running but I take my time
A friend of the Devil is a friend of mine
If I get home before daylight
I might get some sleep tonight

Got two reasons why I cry away each lonely night
First one's named sweet Anne Marie and she's my heart's delight
Second one is prison, baby the sheriff's on my trail
If he catches up with me I'll spend my life in jail

Got a wife in Chino, baby
And one in Cherokee
First one says she's got my child
But it does not look like me

I set out running but I take my time
A friend of the Devil is a friend of mine
If I get home before daylight
I might get some sleep tonight