Bill Thaxton was an ex-ranger one of the bravest by far
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It's said that old Bill was the fastest man ever to pin on a ranger's star
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Stories about him were legends Bill was the best of the bold
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Bad men all feared him way back in his day but he was now growing old
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Into Bill's town rode an outlaw he wore his gun low and tied down
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He reined in his horse and announced to the crowd if you speak to me call me Sundown
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His clothes were all dark and fancy and topped by a black leather vest
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Somebody asked how he came by his name and if he was one of the best
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The eyes of the tall stranger narrowed he grinned like the devil possessed
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I never fight till the sun's going down and my back is facing the West
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Said he wouldn't be with us tomorrow he only rode in for one thing
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He only stopped by to make Bill Thaxton die so he could add to his fame
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Go give Bill Thaxton a message and tell him a killer's in town
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Tell him we'll meet at the end of the street just as the sun's going down
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Somebody said it had been years since old Bill had toted a gun
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Sundown replied that it wasn't his hide killing old Bill would be fun
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The old ranger sent back his answer tell him that I'm on my way
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I've never ran and I'll meet this young man at any time of the day
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Bill got there just about sunset it still hung like fire in the sky
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In just a few moments out there in the street old Bill or the outlaw would die
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Slowly Bill slid from the saddle and started to make his advance
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The sun hit the old ranger square in the eyes the shadows had started to dance
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Bill started talking to Sundown judging his distance that way
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Their stride was the same and at just thirty feet both of the men made their play
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Bill's gun slipped leather like lightning his forty-four spoke with a whine
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The sun didn't bother Bill Thaxton at all cause the old ranger was blind
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Six shots delivered their message the ranger had emptied his gun
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Bill gave a sigh when there was no reply he knew that once more he had won
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The old ranger lowered his six gun he just stood there starting ahead
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Watching you'd think that old Bill didn't know in front of him Sundown lay dead
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Bill has been gone for a long time but old timers still can recall
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The day the old ranger stood up to the test and proved he was best of them all
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Ballad Of Bill Thaxton
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| Marty Robbins |
