[Verse 1: Willie Nelson] Jim, Jim I wore a tie today The first that I ever wore You have said that I look like a dummy Out of a dry goods store [Verse 2: Johnny Cash] Oh, Jim, Jim, the preacher said a lot of things But I didn't hear a word he said My mind kept wandering Back down the trail Back to the good times we had [Pre-Chorus: Johnny Cash and Willie Nelson] Riding herd through the sun and the rain Panning for gold on the cuff We did everything in the books, I guess And a lot that they never thought up [Verse 3: Both Cash and Nelson] Oh, Jim, Jim, so you're riding on ahead Well, if that's how it's going to be When you reach those streets paved with gold Jim, take a claim out for me [Johnny Cash's Spoken Verse] We did everything we could do for ya, Jim But your fever just wouldn't go down [Willie Nelson's Spoken Verse] So we put you on a wagon, Jim And this morning we got you back to town [Cash Spoken Verse] But when we got here, you were gone, Jim And there wasn't anything anybody could do [Nelson Spoken Verse] They dressed you up in a fancy suit and a necktie And so, today, we wore one too [Pre-Chorus and Chorus] Riding herd through the sun and the rain Panning for gold on the cuff We've did everything in the book I guess And a lot that they never thought up Oh Jim, Jim, so you're riding on ahead Well if that's how its going to be When you reach those streets paved with gold Jim, stake a claim out for me