Lyrics:

These are the words of a frontier lad
Who lost his love when he turned ba-ad

Take a message to Mary but donÂ't tell ‘er where I am
Take a message to Mary but donÂ't say IÂ'm in a jam
You can tell her I had to see the world or tell ‘er that my ship set sail
You can say she better not wait for me but donÂ't tell her IÂ'm in jail
Oh, donÂ't tell her IÂ'm in jail

Take a message to Mary but donÂ't tell ‘er what IÂ've done
Please donÂ't mention the stagecoach and the shot from a careless gun
You can tell her I had to change my plans and cancel out the wedding day
But please donÂ't mention my lonely cell where IÂ'm gonna pine away
Until my dying day

Take a message to Mary but donÂ't tell ‘er all you know
My heartÂ's achinÂ' for Mary, Lord knows I miss her so
Just tell her I went to Timbuktu, tell her IÂ'm searchinÂ' for gold
You can say she better find someone new to cherish and to hold
Oh, Lord, this cell is cold

Ma-ary, Ma-a-a-a-ary
Oh, Lord this cell is cold