Early one morning
with time to kill
I borrowed Jeb's rifle
and sat on the hill
I saw a lone rider
crossing the plain
I drew a bead on him
to practice my aim
my brother's rifle
went off in my hand
a shot rang out
across the land
the horse he kept running
the rider was dead
I hung my head I hung my head
I set off running
to wake from the dream
my brother's rifle
went into the stream
I kept on running
into the salt landsand that's where they found me
My head in my hands
the sheriff he asked me
why had I run
then it came to me
just what I had done
and all for no reason
just one piece of lead
I hung my head I hung my head
Here in the courthouse
the whole town is there
I see the judge
high up in his chair
"Explain to the courtroom
what went through your mind
and we'll ask the jury
what verdict they find"
I said "I felt the power
of death over life
I orphaned his children
I widowed his wife
I beg their forgiveness
I wish I was dead"
I hung my head I hung my head
Early one morning
with time to kill
I see the gallows
up on the hill
and out in the distance
a trick of the brain
I see a lone rider
crossing the plain
he's come to fetch me
to see what they done
we'll ride together
til kingdom come
I pray for God's mercy
for soon I'll be dead
I hung my head I hung my head
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