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 come 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 the 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'll ride together to kingdom come
I prayed for God's mercy
Cause soon I'd be dead i hung my head
I hung my head i hung my head
I hung my head