I Hung My Head

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

And my brother's rifle

went into the stream

I kept on running

into the salt lands

And 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