Riley oh Riley, lend me your hand
Walk with me softly to the promise land
Well I love you Riley but you gotta understand
It's so damn painful to love a dishonest man

I ride all morning and I ride all day
Just to catch you, Riley, in your other woman's place
And I climb the porch steps, knock three times and back away
When the one who answers stares deep into my face

Her hair is auburn, skin gold from the sun
She stands in the doorway and she calls your name to come
And I wait like the reaper in my cloak of black
She whispers beggin' "Please don't make him go back"

Riley oh Riley, what could make love stay?
You can't look at me but you can turn away
No you can

Riley oh Riley, on my journey home
I cried a river and soaked you to the bone
Riley oh Riley, my tears flood the town
And you and I and your girl, all together we did drown

Riley oh Riley, lend me your hand
Walk with me softly through the promise land