Richard Thompson Follow

Shane and Dixie, they were two-bit crooks
They wanted to be famous like you read in books
Shane had the brain and Dixie had the looks for glory

As a bank robber, Shane really hadn't got a clue
He'd end up likely at the end of a noose
Which was fine by Shane if the papers could use the story

Fame and love, fame and love
Fame and love will never die

Shane said to Dixie, we're getting nowhere
But I've a fine idea if you love me, swear
We'll be household names if we only dare, forever

Here's two bullets in my old Carbine
One is yours and the other is mine
Then we'll be happy till the end of time together

Fame and love, fame and love
Fame and love will never die

She screams, she swears
She tears her hair
Saying, Shane this time
You've lost your mind

Shane took aim with the 16-bore
And Dixie lay dying down there on the floor
Shane was shaken but his purpose was more inspired

Shane said, Lord what have I done
But this victory is only halfway won
Then he put the barrel underneath his tongue and fired

Fame and love, fame and love
Fame and love will never die

They found the bodies when the neighbors complained
Shane was all over the walls like paint
Dixie looked bad but her heart beat faint but surely

Well, they saved her life, they were just in time
And she turned her back on a life of crime
And she married the man who came to type out her story

Oh, the news of the screws most generously gave
The money helped to pay for Shane's new grave
And it looked so fine till the vandals sprayed it over

Time went by and the weeds grew high
And hid Shane's grave from the curious eye
And maybe that's why we forget those lines he told her

Fame and love, fame and love
Fame and love will never die