Cattleman's Gun

He rode into town one dust storm

Sheepskin cloak upon his back

A preach man with kind old eyes

A mystery for a past

He said he'd come to teach about the love of God

But he soon learned what they were missin' there

Was justice and the law

There was a cattleman who claimed his clan

Owned all the land around

And any brave fool who that might dispute

He was quick to snuff 'em out

He'd say "Take my heed"

And you won't pay the price

'Cause honor and a name ain't worth a damn

If you don't have your life

'Cause ain't nobody faster than this cattle man's gun

I'm a rattlesnake on the trigger

Your last stand will be lying in the sand

Falling to the slam of my hammer

So one man taught forgiveness

While the other taught suffering

The preacher said deliverance

Could be found down on their knees

He said "I know you want justice"

And you want blood

But believe me when I say to you

Don't try to be that man's judge

'Cause ain't nobody faster than this cattle man's gun

He's a rattlesnake on the trigger

Your last stand will be lying in the sand

Fallin' to the slam of his hammer

One day a young farmer

Brought his sons to town for feed

And he noticed that that streets were quiet

And he knew what that might mean

The smoke rose in the distance

His farm burned to the ground

He left the fury over take him

When cattle man came back to town

Those boys ran out from behind the crowd

And watched their daddy die

The big man laughed and said, "Now look at that

Anybody else wanna give it a try"

Well the church doors opened with that

Black cloak flowin' right behind preacher's fiery eyes

He said "You ticket to hell is a coming to you

And I got a hollow point to give you the ride"

And the only thing faster than a cattle man's gun

Was the preacher man's handy finger

He pulled iron from his side and let that bullet fly

Bear the rattlesnake to the hammer

While preacher embraced forgiveness

Oh, they finally understood

Under that sheepskin cloak of his

Was a history of blood