They lie in boothills all through the WestThe outlaws, the gunslingersThe Billy the Kids, and worseSay a fella like the cowardThat shot Bill Hickock in the backThere's always one like that in every time of history
Most of them were varmintsBut every once in a while in one of themThere may have livedA man
He lay face down in the desert sandClutching his six-gun in his handShot from behind, I thought he was deadBut under his heart was an ounce of leadBut a spark still burned so I used my knifeAnd late that night I saved the life of Ringo
(Ringo, Ringo)
I nursed him 'til the danger passedThe days went by, he mended fastAnd then from dawn 'til setting sunHe practiced with that deadly gunAnd hour on hour I watched in aweNo human being could match the draw of Ringo
(Ringo, Ringo)
One day we rode the mountain crestAnd I went East, and he went WestI took to law and wore a starWhile he spread terror near and farWith lead and blood he gained such fameAll through the West they feared the name of Ringo
(Ringo, Ringo)
I knew someday I'd face the testWhich one of us would be the bestAnd sure enough the word came downThat he was holed up in the townI left the posse out in the streetAnd I went in alone to meet Ringo
(Ringo, Ringo)
They said my speed was next to noneBut my lightning draw had just begunWhen I heard a blast that stung my wristThe gun went flying from my fistAnd I was looking down the boreOf the deadly 44 of Ringo
(Ringo, Ringo)
They say that was the only timeThat anyone had seen him smileHe slowly lowered his gun and thenHe said to me "We're even, friend"And so at last I understoodThat there was still a spark of good in Ringo
(Ringo, Ringo)
I blocked the path of his retreatHe turned and stepped into the streetA dozen guns spit fire and leadA moment later, he lay deadThe town began to shout and cheerNowhere was there shed a tear for Ringo
(Ringo)
The story spread throughout the landThat I had beaten Ringo's handAnd it was just the years, they sayThat made me put my guns awayBut on his grave they can't explainThe tarnished star above the name of Ringo
(Ringo, Ringo)(Ringo, Ringo)