They were duelin`, Doolin-Dalton,
high or low, it was the same.
Easy money and faithless women,
redeye whiskey for the pain.
Go down, Bill Dalton, it must be God`s will,
two brothers lyin` dead in Coffeyville.
Two voices call to you from where they stood.
lay down your lawbooks now, they`re no damn good.
Better keep on movin`, Doolin-Dalton,
till your shadow sets you free.
If you`re fast and if you`re lucky,
you will never see that hangin` tree.
Well, the towns lay out across the dusty plains
like graveyards filled with tombstones
waitin` for the names.
And a man could use his back or-use his brains,
but some just went stir crazy, Lord, `cause
nothin` ever changed
till Bill Doolin met Bill Dalton
He was workin` cheap, just bidin` time.
Then he laughed and said, I`m goin`,
and so he left that peaceful life behind.