Linden Arden stole the highlights --

With one hand tied behind his back --

Loved the morning sun, and whiskey

Ran like water in his veins

Loved to go to church on Sunday

Even though he was a drinking man

When the boys came to San Francisco

They were looking for his life

But he found out where they were drinking

Met them face to face outside

Cleaved their heads off with a hatchet

Lord, he was a drinkin' man

And when someone tried to get above him

He just took the law into his own hands

Linden Arden stole the highlights

And they put his fingers through the glass

He had heard all those stories many, many times before

And he did not know nor care to ask

And he loved the little children like they were his very own

You say, Someday it may get lonely.

Now he's livin', livin' with a gun



(Transcribed by ear; corrections requested and welcomed!)