On the 1976 album "El Paso City" and compilation albums
[Intro]
C
[Verse 1]
C G7 C
Bill Thaxton was an ex-Ranger
F C
One of the bravest by far
G7 C Am
It's said that old Bill was the fastest man ever
D D7 G G7
To pin on a Ranger's star
C G7 C
Stories about him were legend
F C
Bill was the best of the bold
G7 C
Bad men all feared him way back in his day
G7 C
But he was now growing old
[Verse 2]
C G7 C
Into Bill's town rode an outlaw
F C
He wore his gun low and tied down
G7 C Am
He reined in his horse and announced to the crowd
D D7 G G7
"If you speak to me call me Sundown"
C G7 C
His clothes were all dark and fancy
F C
And topped by a black leather vest
G7 C
Somebody asked how he came by his name
G7 C
And if he was one of the best.
[Bridge 1]
C F
The eyes of the tall stranger narrowed
F
He grinned like the devil possessed
F
"I never fight till the sun's going down
C F G G7 C
And my back is facing the We--------st"
[Verse 3]
C G7 C
Said he wouldn't be with us tomorrow
F C
He only rode in for one thing
G7 C Am
He only stopped by to make Bill Thaxton die
D D7 G G7
So he could add to his fame.
C G7 C
"Go give Bill Thaxton a message
F C
And tell him a killer's in town
G7 C
Tell him we'll meet at the end of the street
G7 C
Just as the sun's going down"
[Verse 4]
C G7 C
Somebody said it had been years
F C
Since old Bill had toted a gun
G7 C Am
Sundown replied that it wasn't his hide
D D7 G G7
Killing old Bill would be fun
C G7 C
The old Ranger sent back his answer
F C
"Tell him that I'm on my way
G7 C
I've never ran and I'll meet this young man
G7 C
At any time of the day"
[Bridge 2]
C F
Bill got there just about sunset
F
It still hung like fire in the sky
F
In just a few moments out there in the street
C F G G7 C
Old Bill or the outlaw would die----------
[Verse 5]
C G7 C
Slowly Bill slid from the saddle
F C
And started to make his advance
G7 C Am
The sun hit the old Ranger square in the eyes
D D7 G G7
The shadows had started to dance
C G7 C
Bill started talking to Sundown
F C
Judging his distance that way
G7 C
Their stride was the same and at just thirty feet
G7 C
Both of the men made their play
[Verse 6]
C G7 C
Bill's gun slipped leather like lightning
F C
His forty-four spoke with a whine
G7 C Am
The sun didn't bother Bill Thaxton at all
D D7 G G7
Cause the old ranger was blind
C G7 C
Six shots delivered their message
F C
The Ranger had emptied his gun
G7 C
Old Bill gave a sigh when there was no reply
G7 C
He knew that once more he had won
[Bridge 3]
C F
The old Ranger lowered his six gun
F
He just stood there staring ahead
F
Watching you'd think that old Bill didn't know
C F G G7 C
In front of him Sundown lay dea-------d
[Outro]
C G C
Bill has been gone for a long time
F C
But old timers still can recall
G7 C
The day the old Ranger stood up to the test
G7 C
And proved he was best of them all.
