Marty Robbins Follow

Bill Thaxton was an ex-rangerOne of the bravest by farIt's said that old Bill was the fastest man everTo pin on a ranger's starStories about him were legendsBill was the best of the boldBad men all feared him way back in his dayBut he was now growing old Into Bill's town rode an outlawHe wore his gun low and tied downHe reined in his horse and announced to the crowd"If you speak to me call me Sundown"His clothes were all dark and fancyAnd topped by a black leather vestSomebody asked how he came by his nameAnd if he was one of the best.The eyes of the tall stranger narrowedHe grinned like the devil possessed"I never fight till the sun's going downAnd my back is facing the West" Said he wouldn't be with us tomorrowHe only rode in for one thingHe only stopped by to make Bill Thaxton dieSo he could add to his fame."Go give Bill Thaxton a messageAnd tell him a killer's in townTell him we'll meet at the end of the streetJust as the sun's going down" Somebody said it had been yearsSince old Bill had toted a gunSundown replied that it wasn't his hideKilling old Bill would be funThe old ranger sent back his answer"Tell him that I'm on my wayI've never ran and I'll meet this young manAt any time of the day"Bill got there just about sunsetIt still hung like fire in the skyIn just a few moments out there in the streetOld Bill or the outlaw would die Slowly Bill slid from the saddleAnd started to make his advanceThe sun hit the old ranger square in the eyesThe shadows had started to danceBill started talking to SundownJudging his distance that wayTheir stride was the same and at just thirty feetBoth of the men made their play Bill's gun slipped leather like lightningHis forty-four spoke with a whineThe sun didn't bother Bill Thaxton at allBecause the old ranger was blindSix shots delivered their messageThe ranger had emptied his gunBill gave a sigh when there was no replyHe knew that once more he had won The old ranger lowered his six gunHe just stood there starting aheadWatching you'd think that old Bill didn't knowIn front of him Sundown lay dead Bill has been gone for a long timeBut old timers still can recallThe day the old ranger stood up to the testAnd proved he was best of them all