Chip Taylor & P.P. Arnold Temptation One hundred years ago -- I robbed the mail train In the hills of South Dakota -- nation of the Ceyenne I shot the marshal -- and I volleyed one more round And it ricocheted off a hunk o' steel -- and took that young boy down And I did run -- I did run And at night I prayed Five hundred years ago -- I fought the king's men With slings, swords and arrows -- the weapons that we used then I met one righteous man -- and followed him to war We robbed from the filthy rich and gave it to the poor And I did run -- I did run And at night I prayed Lead us not into temptation -- but deliver us From all evil One thousand years ago -- I was a girl Off the coast of Africa -- the center of the world I said I was but twelve years old -- he took me anyhow I shutter just to think that I am somewhat like him now And I did run -- I did run And at night I prayed Now I am a singer -- in a traveling minstrel band The stories burned into my soul -- I write them in my hand And I sing them to some pretty thing -- who wants to love me blind She will not see the worst in me -- so I keep her far behind And I do run -- I do run And at night I pray