The Ballad Of Bill Thaxton

Bill Thaxton was an ex-ranger

One of the bravest by far

It's said that old Bill was the fastest man ever

To pin on a ranger's star

Stories about him were legends

Bill was the best of the bold

Bad men all feared him way back in his day

But he was now growing old

Into Bill's town rode an outlaw

He wore his gun low and tied down

He reined in his horse and announced to the crowd

"If you speak to me call me Sundown"

His clothes were all dark and fancy

And topped by a black leather vest

Somebody asked how he came by his name

And if he was one of the best.

The eyes of the tall stranger narrowed

He grinned like the devil possessed

"I never fight till the sun's going down

And my back is facing the West"

Said he wouldn't be with us tomorrow

He only rode in for one thing

He only stopped by to make Bill Thaxton die

So he could add to his fame.

"Go give Bill Thaxton a message

And tell him a killer's in town

Tell him we'll meet at the end of the street

Just as the sun's going down"

Somebody said it had been years

Since old Bill had toted a gun

Sundown replied that it wasn't his hide

Killing old Bill would be fun

The old ranger sent back his answer

"Tell him that I'm on my way

I've never ran and I'll meet this young man

At any time of the day"

Bill got there just about sunset

It still hung like fire in the sky

In just a few moments out there in the street

Old Bill or the outlaw would die

Slowly Bill slid from the saddle

And started to make his advance

The sun hit the old ranger square in the eyes

The shadows had started to dance

Bill started talking to Sundown

Judging his distance that way

Their stride was the same and at just thirty feet

Both of the men made their play

Bill's gun slipped leather like lightning

His forty-four spoke with a whine

The sun didn't bother Bill Thaxton at all

Because the old ranger was blind

Six shots delivered their message

The ranger had emptied his gun

Bill gave a sigh when there was no reply

He knew that once more he had won

The old ranger lowered his six gun

He just stood there starting ahead

Watching you'd think that old Bill didn't know

In front of him Sundown lay dead

Bill has been gone for a long time

But old timers still can recall

The day the old ranger stood up to the test

And proved he was best of them all