Gunfighter Song

Gunfighter Song - H. P. Archibald - guitar46phil

He rode into the county on a cold September day.
There was silver on his saddlebags and his overcoat was gray.
His beard was solid white from all the snow blown in his face
And deep within his eyes you could feel the power and grace.

(Chorus)
He was a gun-fighter
Comin' to our town
He was a gun-fighter
All us kids would crowd around
To see the gun fighter
Here to shoot somebody down.

My momma said "run quick son tell your pa to hide away."
"This man has come for killing and your daddy is his prey."
So I jumped my bay mare pony and I galloped out of town
I had to find my daddy before this man could shoot him down.

(Chorus II)
He was a gun-fighter
Comin' to our town
He was a gun-fighter
All the kids would crowd around
To see the gun fighter
Here to shoot my daddy down.

I found my daddy drinking down at old Zack Miller's place.
There was whiskey in his coffee and a wild look on his face.
He said he knew the man would have to come for him someday
But swore by gawd he'd run no more; The devil'd have to pay.

I watched my daddy mount up; check the bullets in his Colt.
He tipped his hat down to me and then he took off like a bolt.
I tried to catch up to him but when I got in to town
I saw my daddy layin' there, that devil'd shot him down.

I cried all night that evening till my eyes were red with shame.
I swore that I'd get even and avenge my daddy's name.
I grabbed my daddy's pistol but my ma begged me to stay
Don't let me lose both of my boys dear gawd in just one day.

So early in the morning the devil saddled up his mount
And started off to kill again, more men than I could count.
But this time as the children gathered round to bid farewell
I raised my daddy's shotgun and I blowed him back to hell.

(Chorus III)
He was a gun-fighter
Comin' to our town
He was a gun-fighter
All the kids would crowd around
To see the gun fighter
So I put him in the ground.