[Intro]
D G D A G D A D
[Verse]
G D A
Billy Grey rode into Gantry, back in Eighty-three
G D A
There he did meet young Sarah McCray
D G D A
This wild rose of morning, pale flower dawning
G D A D
Herald of springtime in his young life that day
[Verse]
G D A
Sarah she could not see the daylight of reality
G D A
In her young eyes Billy bore not a flaw
D G D A
Not knowing her chosen one was a hired gun
G D A D
Wanted in Kansas City by the law
[Instrumental]
D G D A G D A
D G D A G D A D
[Verse]
G D A
Then one day a tall man, came riding 'cross the badlands
G D A
That lie to the north of New Mexico
D G D A
He was overheard to say he was looking for Billy Grey
G D A D
A ruthless man and a dangerous outlaw
[Verse]
G D A
The deadly news came creeping, while Billy lay sleeping
G D A
There in the Claredon Bar and Hotel
D G D A
He headed for the old church, there on the outskirts
G D A D
Thinking to climb the old steeple bell
[Verse]
G D A
A rifle ball came flying, face down he lay dying
G D A
There in the dust of the road where he fell
D G D A
Sarah came to him, cursing the lawman
G D A D
Accepting no reason, just knowing he was killed
[Verse]
G D A
Sarah lives in the same old white frame house
G D A
Where she first met Billy some forty years ago
D G D A
The wild rose of morning had faded with the dawning
G D A D
Of each day of sorrow the long years had sown
[Outro]
G D A
There on the stone where the dusty winds had long blown
G D A
Were eighteen words to a passing world say
D G D A
"True love knows no season, no rhyme nor no reason
G D A D
Justice is cold as the Grainger County clay"