There once was a gambler and Westley was his name. He'd ride many miles for the chance to play his game And the life-lines surrounded his eyes, so they say, Like the highways he'd come on his way. They tell of the lady who came through to rest a while Weary of the rounders as she was from the miles On that hot dusty day as she watched him at his play She thought she heard something far inside her say Oh young Westley, take me away. Oh young Westley, take me away. She could tell he was an outlaw like she'd fell in with before. She saw herself beside him and on the run once more But it pained him to remember the life of darkness he once led And so he told her of a man left lying dead. So she told him of the ghosts far from lying cold and still Of windy prairie nights with their lonely haunting chill How she still could see the faces of the robbers who moved on Pass before her till the first sun-rays of dawn. Oh young Westley, take me away. Oh young Westley, take me away. People there who knew him say they saw the change come round Like the grateful smiling laughter of a wanderer who's been found. But the lady wondered still what kind of game was left to play And as they saddled up to leave some heard her say: You live life as a gambler all along the San Joaquin In your eyes remain the stories of the times you have seen But your smile across the campfire makes the dream alive again Of a spirit free to glide across the plain Oh young Westley, take me away. Oh young Westley, take me away. Oh young Westley, take me away. Oh young Westley, take me away.