Running Gun - Michael Martin Murphey

I rode out of Kansas City heading south to Mexico

I was running dodging danger, left the girl that I loved so

Far behind lay Kansas City and the past that I had earned

Twenty notches on my six gun marked the lessons I had learned

Many times I sold my fast gun for a place to lay my head

Till the nights began to haunt me by the men that I lay dead

Couldn’t stand it any longer with this life that I’d begun

So I said good-bye to Jeannie and became a running gun

I rode into Amarillo as the sun sank in the west

My thoughts in Kansas City and the girl that I love best

As I smiled and kissed her gently and then turned away to go

Said I’d send for her to meet me when I reached old Mexico

I had barely left the saddle and my foot just touched the ground

When a cold voice from the shadows told me not to turn around

Said he new about my fast gun knew the price paid by the law

Challenged by a bounty hunter I turned around to draw

I knew someday I’d meet him for his hand like lightning flashed

My own gun stayed in leather as his bullet tore it’s path

As my strength was slowly fading, I could see him walk away

And I knew that where I lie today, he too must lie some day

Now my strength is slowly fading and my eyes are growing dim

And my thoughts return to Jeannie

And the home that we had planned

Oh please tell her won’t you mister

That she’s still the only one

But a woman’s love is waisted when she loves a running gun

Running gun, running gun