The Ballad Of Bill Thaxton Lyrics - Singles - Marty Robbins

Bill Thaxton was an ex-Ranger 

One of the bravest by far 

It's said that old Bill was the fastest man ever 

To pin on a Ranger's star 

Stories about him were legend 

Bill was the best of the bold 

Bad men all feared him way back in his day 

But he was now growing old 

Into Bill's town rode an outlaw 

He wore his gun low and tied down 

He reined in his horse and announced to the crowd 

"If you speak to me call me Sundown" 

His clothes were all dark and fancy 

And topped by a black leather vest 

Somebody asked how he came by his name 

And if he was one of the best. 

The eyes of the tall stranger narrowed 

He grinned like the devil possessed 

"I never fight till the sun's going down 

And my back is facing the West" 

Said he wouldn't be with us tomorrow 

He only rode in for one thing 

He only stopped by to make Bill Thaxton die 

So he could add to his fame. 

"Go give Bill Thaxton a message 

And tell him a killer's in town 

Tell him we'll meet at the end of the street 

Just as the sun's going down" 

Somebody said it had been years 

Since old Bill had toted a gun 

Sundown replied that it wasn't his hide 

Killing old Bill would be fun 

The old Ranger sent back his answer 

"Tell him that I'm on my way 

I've never ran and I'll meet this young man 

At any time of the day" 

Bill got there just about sunset 

It still hung like fire in the sky 

In just a few moments out there in the street 

Old Bill or the outlaw would die 

Slowly Bill slid from the saddle 

And started to make his advance 

The sun hit the old Ranger square in the eyes 

The shadows had started to dance 

Bill started talking to Sundown 

Judging his distance that way 

Their stride was the same and at just thirty feet 

Both of the men made their play 

Bill's gun slipped leather like lightning 

His forty-four spoke with a whine 

The sun didn't bother Bill Thaxton at all 

Cause the old ranger was blind 

Six shots delivered their message 

The Ranger had emptied his gun 

Old Bill gave a sigh when there was no reply 

He knew that once more he had won 

The old Ranger lowered his six gun 

He just stood there staring ahead 

Watching you'd think that old Bill didn't know 

In front of him Sundown lay dead 

Bill has been gone for a long time 

But old timers still can recall 

The day the old Ranger stood up to the test 

And proved he was best of them all