As I write this letter to you darling
I can't hold the teardrops from my eyes
For at sundown I will lay a dying
At the door of a fools paradise

Rode into this cattle town this morning
Left the herd to check the market price
And I walked up to the nearest baroom
They called it the fools paradise

There the crowds were gay and the girls were dancing
And the men were playing cards and dice
So I stepped up to the bar to join them
What a grand place this fools paradise

It was then I showed to them your picture
I passed it around once or twice
When a man insulted sweet honour
At the bar of the fools paradise

"So I slapped his face and I told him
I said you eat them words mister or draw
Take my advice
So he told me someone might get hurt inside
But I'll be glad to meet you on the street at sundown
At sundown in front of a fools paradise"

So goodbye my darling may God bless you
I go to make this sacrafice
And if ever you visit old Dodge City
Remember the fools paradise.
