From the album American IV: The Man Comes Around
[Intro] - C, F handful of times
[Verse 1]
C F
Early one morning with time to kill
Am F
I borrowed Jebb's rifle and sat on the hill
C F
I saw a lone rider crossing the plain
Am F
I drew a bead on him to practice my aim
Dm G
My brother's rifle went off in my hand
G C
A shot rang out across the land
F Am
The horse, he kept running, the rider was dead
C F
I hung my head, I hung my head
C C
[Verse 2]
C F
I set off running to wake from the dream
Am F
My brother's rifle went into the sheen
C F
I kept on running into the south lands
Am F
That's where they found me, my head in my hands
Dm G
The sheriff he asked me why had I run
G C
And then it came to me just what I had done
F Am
And all for no reason, just one piece of lead
C F
I hung my head, I hung my head
C C
[Verse 3]
C F
Here in the courthouse, the whole town was there
Am F
I see the judge high up in his chair
C F
Explain to the courtroom what went through your mind
Am F
And we'll ask the jury what verdict they find
Dm G
I felt the power of death over life
G C
I orphaned his children, I widowed his wife
F Am
I beg their forgiveness, I wish I was dead
C F
I hung my head, I hung my head
C C
[Verse 4]
C F
Early one morning with time to kill
Am F
I see the gallows up on the hill
C F
And out in the distance, a trick of the brain
Am F
I see a lone rider crossing the plain
Dm G
And he's come to fetch me to see what they done
G C
And we'll ride together 'Til kingdom come
F Am
I pray for God's mercy for soon I'll be dead
C F
I hung my head, I hung my head
C F
I hung my head, I hung my head
C F
I hung my head, I hung my head