Eli Renfro killed his wife
With a long sharp bowie knife
Hacked her up and put her in the ground
Death by hanging was to be his fate
And old Eli filled with hate
Put a curse on the entire town

Chorus:
Can't you hear, can't you hear
When the moon is bright and clear
From time to time
It's old Eli dragging chains
And moaning peoples names
And I hope and I pray that he never thinks of mine

I was walking the high road late last night
The stars were out and the moon was bright
The wind was blowing you could hear for half a mile
Then an awful sound came through the trees
It chilled my blood and it shook my knees
The kinda thing that makes a man run wild

[ Chorus ]

Well if you get home before I do
Don't look back cause I'm coming through
I'm packing my things and I'm headed far away
They say you can't run away from a curse
Maybe this time I'll be the first
Ain't nobody here gonna make me stay

[ Chorus - "and I hope and I pray" x6 ]