The Ballad Of Bill Thaxton

Intro: verse 1 Bill Thaxton was an ex-Ranger One of the bravest by far It's said that old Bill was the fastest man ever To pin on a Ranger's star Stories about him were legend Bill was the best of the bold Bad men all feared him way back in his day But he was now growing old verse 2 Into Bill's town rode an outlaw He wore his gun low and tied down He reined in his horse and announced to the crowd "If you speak to me call me Sundown" His clothes were all dark and fancy And topped by a black leather vest Somebody asked how he came by his name And if he was one of the best. Bridge 1 The eyes of the tall stranger narrowed He grinned like the devil possessed "I never fight till the sun's going down And my back is facing the We--------st" verse 3 Said he wouldn't be with us tomorrow He only rode in for one thing He only stopped by to make Bill Thaxton die So he could add to his fame. "Go give Bill Thaxton a message And tell him a killer's in town Tell him we'll meet at the end of the street Just as the sun's going down" verse 4 Somebody said it had been years Since old Bill had toted a gun Sundown replied that it wasn't his hide Killing old Bill would be fun The old Ranger sent back his answer "Tell him that I'm on my way I've never ran and I'll meet this young man At any time of the day" Bridge 2 Bill got there just about sunset It still hung like fire in the sky In just a few moments out there in the street Old Bill or the outlaw would die---------- Verse 5 Slowly Bill slid from the saddle And started to make his advance The sun hit the old Ranger square in the eyes The shadows had started to dance Bill started talking to Sundown Judging his distance that way Their stride was the same and at just thirty feet Both of the men made their play Verse 6 Bill's gun slipped leather like lightning His forty-four spoke with a whine The sun didn't bother Bill Thaxton at all Cause the old ranger was blind Six shots delivered their message The Ranger had emptied his gun Old Bill gave a sigh when there was no reply He knew that once more he had won Bridge 3 The old Ranger lowered his six gun He just stood there staring ahead Watching you'd think that old Bill didn't know In front of him Sundown lay dea-------d Outro Bill has been gone for a long time But old timers still can recall The day the old Ranger stood up to the test And proved he was best of them all.