Cottonwood Tree
Fateful Dance with Death: Marty Robbins' Cottonwood Tragedy
Lyrics
I rode into Tucson three hours ago for supplies and a short friendly game
I arrived in Tucson three hours ago for supplies and a poker game while Smitty tended to old Dan.
Of poker while Smitty put some new shoes on old Dan before he goes lame
I joined a poker game at the Miner's Saloon, and someone accused me of dealing unfairly.
I sat in a game at the Miner's Saloon soon I had doubled my stake
I doubled my stake in the poker game, but fate seemed to be against me.
The cards run like they'd been dealt by Lady Luck they were just sealin' my fate
The cards played as if guided by luck but were sealing my fate.
A young cowboy lost more than he could afford and accused me of dealin' too smart
A young cowboy accused me of cheating and paid the price with a slow draw and fatal shots.
His draw was too slow and he fell to the floor with three bullets close to the heart
The young cowboy fell with three bullets close to his heart.
Oh cottonwood tree are you waiting for me waiting to take me away
A plea to a cottonwood tree, possibly symbolizing impending death or justice.
I've done no wrong but the town cannot see and so with my life I must pay
Despite being innocent, the town condemns me, and I face the consequence of my life.
A crowd started gatherin' the sheriff came in I handed him over my gun
A crowd gathers as the sheriff arrives; I surrender my gun.
Was then when I found out the boy I had killed
Realization dawns that I killed the town's prominent man's only son.
Was the town's biggest man's only son
I explain it was self-defense, but the crowd refuses to listen.
I tried to explain I had shot in defense it was the young cowboy or me
Dragged to a cottonwood tree, I face an unjust punishment.
The crowd wouldn't listen so they drug me out to the limb of this cottonwood tree
The tree stands alone, a witness to the impending tragedy.
Majestically standing out here all alone it's spring and the valley is green
The beauty of the spring valley is lost on me in this nightmarish scenario.
But I can't admire a place I don't belong to me it's all like a bad dream
I can't appreciate a place that doesn't belong to me, feeling like it's a bad dream.
But old Dan's beneath me with new shows and all
Old Dan is below me, with new shoes, as they prepare to hang me.
As they place the noose round my neck
A noose is placed around my neck as I face my imminent death.
Cowboys I've never laid eyes on before are tyin' my hands to my back
Unknown cowboys tie my hands as I confront the reality of my fate.
Oh cottonwood tree...
A plea to the cottonwood tree continues.
I see hate in the eyes of the town's biggest man as he pulls a branch from the tree
The town's biggest man shows hatred as he prepares to whip my pony to make it run.
To whip the backside of my old pony Dan so he'll run out from under me
Insanely, he ignores my pleas as he whips my pony to run out from under me.
Insane he won't listen to my last appeal a wild grin has covered his face
His foolish pride prevents him from empathizing with my situation.
As I tried to reason just how he would feel if he were up here in my place
I try to make him understand the gravity of my position if he were in my place.
There's many a mountain trail I'll never ride green valleys I'll never see
I reflect on the trails and valleys I'll never experience due to this tragic event.
A young cowboy died and a man's foolish pride brought me to this cottonwood tree
The death of a young cowboy and foolish pride lead to my fate at the cottonwood tree.
My face is turned upward and I cannot breathe the sky's growing dark overhead
I face upwards, struggling to breathe as darkness looms overhead.
The knot's pulling tight as my body swepts free a few moments more I'll be dead
The tightening knot signals my impending death.
Oh cottonwood tree...
A final plea to the cottonwood tree echoes.
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