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 bread 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 hung my head, I hung my head I set off running to wake from the dream 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 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 I hung my head, I hung my head