Every body starts somewhere

What you got to give is a fast hand and a faster mind

Leather leans against the leg like a place born

Walks the bar with eyes bulging looking tired

Lean body grips the chair letting the whiskey down



Weight drags the leg down, hand feels for security



Words escape the lips of an old gun looking for rest

She smiled knowing well his end was coming near

Slipped onto the lap protecting him from the hail of lead

Blood spilled across the table he rolled and fired



Sheriff and four deputies graced death with their presence



He carried her the flight of stairs laid her on the bed

She indicated she was on the way out anyway

Old doc unholsterd his gun and laid it by her side

Lamp light and brand iron stopped the bleeding



Straight as an arrow rode to the next place didn’t glance back



Hot desert wind worked the pain in his heart as drug the heavy leg

Cup hands around a tin a bit of coffee cleared his eyes

Small voice takes his mind and lets him escape the pain tonight

Rides northeast to the world of civilized rests at the station



Sells the heavy leg along with the stallion he rode in on



Ma puts him up in the room above the paper

Place to sleep they give him a nickel a word

Dollar for sweeping the floor emptying the trash

Billy sleeps light with an angel of the evening



She comforts an old dying soul; heavy iron does not live anymore



Syndicated words go to 10-cent westerns and Billy collects

He stands with weathered face and drawn - down hat

Beat the rope and now writes the story of life on the run

Fools never saw him ride off into the last of the setting sun