Missouri Borderland

verse 1 I am far away from home, with neither fa - mily nor friends I never meant to stay so long, in the Missouri borderland Three years ago I held a job and saw the wo - rld from my pony, Suede Riding drag on a dusty mile, I knew I’d worked when I drew my pay The times got hard, Christ, times got mean and I fell in with desperate men And one night the worst of them laid out what was an awful plan verse 2 I did not like such wicked talk of murder and bold robbery I told those men I would walk and they all aimed their guns at me Their prisoner I helped - them rob a bank, and much gold we did obtain They shot a boy just for the sport. I stood and watched his young life wane Such dreadful sounds, I never heard. His mother’s wai - ling filled the room She looked at me and screamed these words “the Devil take you to your doom” verse 3 I turned and faced that murderous crew. I shot ‘em dead, I killed all four And the only thing I rued, I had not thought of that before The posse found - me outside of town, as I was knee - ling there to pray From a gallows high I’m to lay down in the dark Missouri grave Please hide the rope stains around my neck, when my mo - ther sees me dead Please don’t let my brothers take the fateful path I chose to tread Cause I am far away from home with neither fa - mily nor friends I never meant to stay so long in the Missouri borderland And now I’ll spend eternity in the Missouri borderland