Key: C
Introduction: C
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
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
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
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.