Early one morning, with time to kill
I borrowed Jeb'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 off in my hand
A shot rang out across the land
The horse, he kept riding. 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 southlands
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 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 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 fetch me to see what they'd done
And we'll ride together until kingdome 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