Early one morning with time to kill I borrowed a rifle and sat on the 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, it kept running, the rider was dead I hung my head, I hung my head I set off running to wake from my 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 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 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 were dead" I hung my head, I hung my head Early one morning with time to kill I see the gallows high up on the hill And off 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've done We'll ride together to 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