Death of Outlaw Billy John

Meridith, come over in a hurry,
cause they're sending billy john to the gallows
she runs to hanks' salloon in a hurry
sees the lawmen sitting there, not to worry

Fourteen banks and thirteen cold blooded murders
the lawman's laying down her sun dress(?)
he says darling 'you know we keep law and order
and let this be a warning to all his hellraising men'

The genevive street was packed at the town hall door
they had him on a footstool with a noose around his neck
sit draw a breath and hold it tight
ask forgiveness of the people maybe the lord could you slide
then you kick that foot stool from beneath the soles of his feet
then he saw into the light from the dark end of the street

Mamma cried, mamma cried and more did weep
he wasnt born mean it was others that made him mean

They buried him a mile of ten from the bottom of the creek
just an old rusty town cemetary
mamma dont come to visit, and it kills me
she puts on her evening gown and works the dark hour streets

Keeps the whiskey in her veins to carry
the death of Outlaw Billy John's memory
Keeps the whiskey in her veins to carry
the death of Outlaw Billy John's legendary memory.