I Hung My Head

[Verse 1: Johnny Cash]

Early one morning

With time to kill

I borrowed Jebb's rifle

And sat on the hill

I saw a lone rider

Crossing the plain

I drew a bead on him

To practice my aim

My brother's rifle

Went off in my hand

A shot rang out

Across the land

The horse, he kept running

The rider was dead

[Chorus: Johnny Cash]

I hung my head

I hung my head

[Verse 2: Johnny Cash]

I set off running

To wake from the dream

My brother's rifle

Went into the sheen

I kept on running

Into the south lands

That's where they found me

My head in my hands

The sheriff, he asked me

"Why had I run?"

And then it came to me

Just what I had done

And all for no reason

Just one piece of lead

[Chorus: Johnny Cash]

I hung my head

I hung my head

[Verse 3: Johnny Cash]

Here in the courthouse

The whole town was there

I see the judge

High up in his chair

"Explain to the courtroom

What went through your mind

And we'll ask the jury

What verdict they find"

I felt the power

Of death over life

I orphaned his children

I widowed his wife

I begged their forgiveness

I wish I was dead

[Chorus: Johnny Cash]

I hung my head

I hung my head

I hung my head

I hung my

[Verse 4: Johnny Cash]

Early one morning

With time to kill

I see the gallows

Up on the hill

And out in the distance

A trick of the brain

I see a lone rider

Crossing the plain

And he'd come to fetch me

To see what they'd done

And we'll ride together

To kingdom come

I pray for God's mercy

For soon I'll be dead

[Chorus: Johnny Cash]

I hung my head

I hung my head

I hung my head

I hung my head