I Hung My Head
Early one morningWith time to killI borrowed Jeb's rifleAnd sat on the hillI saw a lone riderCrossing the plainI drew a bead on himTo practice my aimMy brother's rifleWent off in my handA shot rang outAcross the landThe horse, he kept runningThe rider was deadI hung my headI hung my head
I set off runningTo wake from the dreamMy brother's rifle went into the sheenI kept on runningInto the south landsThat's where the found meMy head in my handsThe sheriff he asked meWhy had I runAnd then it came to meJust what I had doneAnd all for no reasonJust one piece of leadI hung my headI hung my head
Here in the courthouseThe whole town was thereI see the judgeHigh up in his chair"Explain to the courtroomWhat went through your mindAnd we'll ask the juryWhat verdict they find"I felt the powerOf death over lifeI orphaned his childrenI widowed his wifeI begged their forgivenessI wish I was deadI hung my headI hung my head
Early one morningWith time to killI see the gallowsUp on the hillAnd out in the distanceA trick of the brainI see a lone riderCrossing the plainAnd he'd come to fetch meTo see what they doneAnd we'll ride together till kingdom comeI pray for God's mercy'Cause soon I'll be deadI hung my headI hung my headI hung my headI hung my head