(Willie Nelson) Jim, Jim I wore a tie today The first one that I ever wore You'd have said that I look like a dummy at the dry goods store (Johnny Cash) Ooh, Jim, Jim The preacher said a lot of things But I didn't hear a word he said My mind kept wanderin' back down the trail Back to the good times we had (Cash, lead and Nelson, harmony) Ridin' heard, through the sun and the rain Pannin' for gold on the cuff We did everything in the books, I guess And a lot that they never thought of Ooh, Jim, Jim So you're ridin' on ahead Well, if that's how it's goin' to be When you reach those streets paved with gold Jim, stake a claim out for me (Cash, spoken) We did everything we could do for you, Jim
But, your fever just wouldn't go down. (Nelson, spoken) So we put you in the wagon, Jim And this mornin' we got you back to town. (Cash, spoken) But, when we got here you were gone, Jim And there wasn't anything anybody could do. (Nelson, spoken) They dressed you up in a fancy suit and a neck-tie So, today, we wore one too. (Cash, lead and Nelson, harmony) Ridin' heard, through the sun and the rain Panin' for gold on the cuff We did everything in the books, I guess And a lot that they never thought of Ooh, Jim, Jim So you're ridin' on ahead Well, if that's how it's goin' to be When you reach those streets paved with gold Jim, stake a claim out for me