Early one morning

With time to kill

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 land

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

I 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 me

Just what I had done

And all for no reason

Just one peace of lead

I hung my head

I hung my head



Here in the court house

The whole town was there

I 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 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'd ride together

To kingdom come

I prayed for god's mercy

For soon I'd be dead

I hung my head

I hung my head



I hung my head

I hung my head