Early one morning With time to kill I borrowed Jebb's rifle And sat on a 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 sheen I kept on running Into the south lands That's where they found me My head in my hands
The sheriff he asked me Why had I run And 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 court house The whole town was there I see the judge High up in his chair Explain to the court room What went through your mind And we'll ask the jury What verdict they find
I felt the power Of death over life I orphaned his children I widowed his wife I begged their forgiveness I wish I was dead I hung my head I hung my head
I hung my head I hung my head
Early one morning With time to kill I see the gallows Up on a hill And out in the distance A trick of the brain I see a lone rider Crossing the plain
And he'd come to fetch me To see what they'd done And we'd ride together To kingdom come I prayed for god's mercy For soon I'd be dead I hung my head I hung my head
