I pulled into Nazareth, feeling about half-past dead I just need to find a place where I can lay my head Mister, can you tell me where a man might find a bed? He just grinned and shook my hand, no was all he said Take a load off, Fanny, take a load for free Take a load off, Fanny And he put the load right on me I picked up my bags and went looking for a place to hide When I saw old Carmen and the devil walking side by side I said, hey Carmen, come on, let's go downtown She said, I gotta go, but my friend can stick around Take a load off, Fanny, take a load for free Take a load off, Fanny And he put the load right on me Go down, Moses, there's nothing that you can say Cause this old Luke and Luke are waiting on judgment day Hey Luke, my friend, what about a young Annalee? He said, do me a favor, son, I want to stay and keep your Annalee company Take a load off, Fanny, take a load for free Take a load off, Fanny And he put the load right on me Crazy Chester followed me and he caught me in the fog He said, I will fix your rack if you take old Jack, my dog I said, wait a minute, Chester, I'm a peaceful man He said, that's okay, hold your feet and whenever you can Take a load off, Fanny, take a load for free Take a load off, Fanny And he put the load right on me Catch a cannonball, take me on down the line My bank is sinking low and I do believe that it's time To get back to Miss Fanny, you know she's the only one She sent me here with her regards for everyone She said, take a load off, Fanny, take a load for free Take a load off, Fanny And he put the load right on me Take a load off, Fanny