Capo 1
(Verse 1)
Dm Am
He rode into town one dust storm sheepskin cloak across his back
G Dm
A preacherman with kind old eyes and a mystery for a past
Dm Am
He said he'd come to teach about the love of God
G Dm
But he soon learned what they were missing there was justice and the law
(Verse 2)
Dm Am
There was a cattleman who claimed his clan owned all the land around
G Dm
Any brave fool that might dispute, he was quick to snuff em out
Dm Am
He'd say, "Take my heed, and you won't pay the price.
G Dm
Cause honor and a name ain't worth a damn, if you don't have your life."
(Chorus)
Dm Am
Cause ain't nobody faster than this cattleman's gun
G Dm
I'm a rattlesnake on the trigger
Dm Am
Your last stand will be lyin in the sand
G Dm
Fallen to the slam of my hammer
(Verse 3)
Dm Am
So one man taught forgiveness, while the other taught suffering
G Dm
Preacher said deliverance could be found down on their knees
Dm Am
He'd say, "I know you want justice and you want blood
G Dm
But believe me when I say to you, don't try and be that man's judge
(Chorus 2)
Dm Am
Cause ain't nobody faster than that cattleman's gun
G Dm
He's a rattlesnake on the trigger
Dm Am
Your last stand will be lyin in the sand
G Dm
Fallen to the slam of his hammer
(Instrumental)
Dm Am G Dm Am G Dm
(Verse 4)
Dm Am
One day a young farmer brought his sons to town for feed
G Dm
He noticed that the streets were quiet and he knew what that might mean
Dm Am
Smoke rose from the distance, his farm burned to the ground
G Dm
He let the fury overtake him when cattleman came back to town
(Verse 5)
Dm Am
His boys ran out from behind the crowd and watched their daddy die
G Dm
Big man laughed and said, "Now look at that! Anybody else wanna give it a try?"
Dm Am
The church doors opened with that black cloak flowin behind preacher's fiery eyes
G
He said, "Your ticket to Hell's a comin to you
Dm
And I got a hollow point to give you the ride."
(Chorus 3)
Dm Am
And the only thing faster than that cattleman's gun
G Dm
Was the preacherman's hand and finger
Dm Am
He pulled iron fomr his side and let that bullet fly
G Dm
And beat the rattlesnake to the hammer
Dm Am G Dm
Why this preacher embraced forgiveness, they finally understood
Dm Am G Dm
Under that sheepskin cloak of his, was a history of blood