Grey Beard

He was 9 years old when his folk left home on a wagon heading west

When his mom and dad knew he'd grow bad by the mark of the devil on his chest

On 17 he turned up mean, he already made his bid

He had a name in the fast gun gang and they called him "The Devil Kid."

Now the kid's name grew and his gang did too

When it all goes town appeared,

sitting there in the Marshal's chair

It's the one they called "Grey Beard."

Did you better quit, while the quitting's good

'Cause it's always one as bigger

There'll be one guy with a faster eye

Who's lighting on the trigger.

Let me tell you son

Buy a real fast gun that every outlaw fears

He made his name in this killing game

It's the one they call "Grey Beard."

He had a drawing hand like no other man

It was faster than the eye

And there were always plenty of kids about 20

Just couldn't wait to die.

He was a fast gun looking to make a name

And hooking was his virtue and killing was a game.

So the kid said: "Tell me where is this man who never feared a gun"

Grey Beard raised his head and said: "You're looking at him, son"

So the kid tried staring Grey Beard down with eyes like ace of dice

And Grey beard's frown, turned upside down to a smile as cold as ice.

So the devil kid reached for his gun with a draw as fast as light

But he lost the game to a shot that came from somewhere out of sight

And as the kid went down and he hit the ground

Before he lost his mind, he heard:

Grey Beard snicker, I was even quicker before I went stone blind.

Fast gun looking to make a name

And hooking was his virtue

He's killed ace game.