Early one morning with time to kill
I borrowed Jebb'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
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 courthouse the whole town was 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 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 the 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 pray for God's mercy for soon I'll be dead
I hung my head, I hung my head
I hung my head, I hung my head