Old bad Bascomb come ridin’ into town

lookin’ for Wild Willie, gunfighter renown.

He pokes his head in the old saloon,

says, “Wild Willie. meet me at noon

for a shootout, if you do so dare—

the fastest gun’ll live, fair ‘n square!”

Outside, they was no birds flyin’

ceptin’ a buzzard lookin’ fer the dyin’.

Bad Bascomb drawed first,

but come up with air!

He said, “Whar’s mah six-shooter?

Ah knew it’us there!”

Willie sez, “Ah’m old but still fast.

Ah swiped your six-shooter when you went past.

 
“Now gunslingin’ in the West is come to an end,

so come on inside an’ have a drink with a friend.”

 
And the only shot that’us heerd that day

wuz a shot of Jack Daniels—up an’ away.

 

Featured in Henry Smith’s book, “Hunters, Lovers, Kings and Fools” available on Amazon.com.

To see Hank perform his poem “End of Gunfightin” click HERE