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

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