Early one morning With time to 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 of in my hand A shot rang out Across the 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 kept on running Into the south lands That's where they found me My head and my hands
The sheriff he asked me Why had I run And then it came to Just what I had done And all for no reason Just one peace of lead I my head I hung my head
Here in the court house The whole town was there see the judge High up in the chair Explain to the court room What went through you mind And we'll ask the jury What verdict they find
I felt the power Of death over I orphaned his children I widowed his wife I begged their forgiveness I wish I was dead I hung my head I hung my
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 me To see what they'd done And we'd ride together To kingdom come I prayed for god's mercy For I'd be dead I hung my head I hung my head