Lyrics
Early one morning with time to kill
Starting the day with free time
I borrowed Jeb's rifle and sat on the hill
Borrowed a rifle and sat on a hill
I saw a lone rider crossing the plain
Observing a lone rider on the plain
I drew a bead on him to practice my aim
Took aim to practice shooting
My brother's rifle went off in my hand
Accidentally fired brother's rifle
A shot rang out across the land
Gunshot echoed across the land
The horse he kept running, the rider was dead
Rider dead, horse running
I hung my head, I hung my head
Regret and guilt for the unintended act
I set off running to wake from the dream
Running to escape the harsh reality
My brother's rifle went into the stream
Disposed of the rifle in a stream
I kept on running into the salt lands
Continued running into desolate lands
And that's where they found me, my head in my hands
Found in despair, head in hands
The sheriff he asked me "Why had I run"
Questioned by the sheriff about the escape
Then it came to me just what I had done
Realization of the gravity of the action
And all for no reason, just one piece of lead
Acted impulsively, causing death
I hung my head, I hung my head
Expressing remorse and guilt
Here in the courthouse, the whole town is there
Courtroom scene with the entire town present
I see the judge high up in his chair
Judge overseeing the trial
"Explain to the courtroom what went through your mind
Asked to explain thoughts to the courtroom
And we'll ask the jury what verdict they find"
Seeking the jury's verdict
I said "I felt the power of death over life
Felt the power of death over life
I orphaned his children I widowed his wife
Consequences for the victim's family
I beg their forgiveness I wish I was dead"
Begging for forgiveness, expressing regret
I hung my head, I hung my head
Continued remorse and guilt
Early one morning with time to kill
Repeating the sequence, reflecting on the past
I see the gallows up on the hill
Gallows on the hill symbolizing impending doom
And out in the distance a trick of the brain
Illusions or hallucinations in the mind
I see a lone rider crossing the plain
Seeing a lone rider again
He's come to fetch me to see what they done
Accepting fate and consequences
We'll ride together til Kingdom come
Facing the inevitable together
I pray for God's mercy for soon I'll be dead
Praying for mercy before impending death
I hung my head, I hung my head
Reiteration of guilt and acceptance of responsibility
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