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, "no" was all he said
Take a load off, Annie
Take a load for free
Take a load off, Annie
And (and, and) you put the load right on me
You 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 my friend can stick around."
Take a load off, Annie
Take a load for free
Take a load off, Annie
And, and, and you put the load right on me
You put the load right on me
Go down, Miss Moses, there's nothin' you can say
It's just old Luke and Luke's waitin' on the Judgment Day
"Well, Luke, my friend, what about young Anna Lee?"
He said
"Do me a favor, son, won't you stay and keep Anna Lee company?"
Take a load off, Annie
Take a load for free
Take a load off, Annie
And, and, and you put the load right on me
You put the load right on me
Crazy Chester followed me and he caught me in the fog
He said, "I will fix your rack if you take Jack, my dog."
I said, "Wait a minute, Chester, you know I'm a peaceful man."
He said, "That's OK, boy, won't you feed him when you can?"
Yeah, take a load off, Annie
Take a load for free
Take a load off, Annie
And, and, and you put the load right on me
You put the load right on me
Catch a cannon ball now to 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
Take a load off, Annie
Take a load for free
Take a load off, Annie
And, and, and you put the load right on me
You put the load right on me