[Verse 1]
Early one morning with time to kill
I borrowed Jed's rifle and sat on the hill
I saw a lone rider crossin’ the plain
I drew a bead on him to practice my aim
Well my brother's rifle went off in my hand
A shot rang out across the land
The horse he kept runnin’ but the rider was dead

[Chorus 1]
I hung my head, I hung my head
I hung my head, I hung my head, alright!

[Verse 2]
Well I set off runnin’ to wake from the dream
My brother's rifle went into the sheen
I kept on running into the south lands
And 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

[Chorus 2]
I hung my head, I hung my head
I hung my head, I hung my head
I hung my head, I hung my head
I hung my head, I hung my head
[Verse 3]
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 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"

[Chorus 3]
I hung my head, I hung my head
I hung my head, I hung my head, alright!

[Verse 4]
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 is crossing the plain
And he's come to fetch me to see what they done
We'll ride together 'til Kingdom come
I’ll pray for God's mercy, for soon I'll be dead

[Chorus 4]
I hung my head, I hung my head
I hung my head, I hung my head
I hung my head, I hung my head
I hung my head, I hung my head