In an Arizona town one day
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Bill Venero heard them say
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That a band of Apache Indians
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Were on the trail that way
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Heard them tell of murder done
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Three men killed at Rocky Run
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"They're in danger at the cow ranch"
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Said Venero under his breath!
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Nearly forty miles away
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Was a little place that lay
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In a deep and shady valley
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In the mighty wilderness
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Half a score of homes were there
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And in one a maiden fair
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Held the heart of Bill Venero
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Bill Venero's Little Bess.
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So no wonder he grew pale
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When he heard the cowboy's tale
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Of the men that he'd seen murdered
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There at Rocky Run
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Sure as there's a God above
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I will save the girl I love
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By that love I hold for Bessie
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I will see that somethin's done!
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Not one minute he delayed
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When this brave resolve was made
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"But, man," his comrades told him
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When they hears his daring plan
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"You are riding straight to death!"
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But he answered, "Save your breath,
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I may never reach the cow ranch
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But I'll do the best I can."
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As he crossed the alkali
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All his thoughts flew on ahead
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To the little band at Cow Ranch
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Thinking not a danger near
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With his quirt's unceasing whirl
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And the jingle of his spurs
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Little Chapo bore the cowboy
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O'er the far away frontier.
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Sharp and dear a rifle shot
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Woke the echoes of the spot
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"I am wounded," cried Venero
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As he swayed from side to side.
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"While there's life there's always hope
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Slowly onward I will lope
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If we fail to reach the Cow Ranch
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Bessie Lee will know I tried."
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Then at dusk a horse of brown
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Wet with sweat came panting down
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The little lane at Cow Ranch
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Stopped in front of Bessie's door.
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But the cowboy was asleep
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And his slumber was so deep
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Little Bess could never wake him
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Though she tried forever more.
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You have heard this story told
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By the young and by the old
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How the Indians killed Venero
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On his way to Rocky Run.
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Many years have passed away
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And the maiden's hair is gray
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But still she places roses
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On Bill Venero's grave...
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-----------------
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Bill Venero
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| Marty Robbins |
