[Verse 1]
In the southern part of Texas, east and west of El Paso
Where the mighty Franklin Mountains guard the trail to Mexico
There's a new-made widow crying and a hearse a-rolling slow
I guess the devil's passed this way again
There's a lathered sorrel stallion running through the Joshua trees
And a young man in the saddle with his coat tails in the breeze
He's got a six gun on his right hip and a rifle at his knees
And he's dealing in a game that he can't win

[Chorus]
Poor Billy Bonney, you're only 21
Pat Garrett's got your name on every bullet in his gun
Every notch you carve on your six gun
Has a bloody tale to tell
You're a mile ahead of Garrett and a step outside of Hell

[Verse 2]
Those fancy clothes you're wearing and the women in your bed
Can't take away the traces of the men that you've left dead
As you ride across the badlands with a price upon your head
And now the Wheel of Fortune starts to turn
Your reputation's grown until it's the biggest in the land
And there ain't a lot of people left who want to call your hand
And I guess you'll go down shooting and like all branded men
When you shake hands with the devil you get burned
[Chorus]
Poor Billy Bonney, you're only 21
Pat Garrett's got your name on every bullet in his gun
Every notch you carve on your six gun
Has a bloody tale to tell
You're a mile ahead of Garrett and a step outside of Hell