Gunslinger's Prayer

I left the ranch early

Had some business in town

And out to the west, it was looking like rain

I was there in the outskirts and covering ground

And the clouds opened up, and the downpour came

I took shelter in a church, just inside the door

Stood there, in the reverent quiet

When I heard the voice of a man, speaking low

Kneeling up near the front in the half fading light

He said, "Lord, it's been awhile since I've been in your house

I've lived by the gun, and I've broken your laws

Earned myself the name Gunslinger, faced a dozen men

And beat 'em all, each one was just another notch on the handle of a gun

Another black mark against my soul, now I'm weary of it all

But I can't run, I'm doomed to play this gunslinger role"

"There's another young kid that I'm going to have to face

He wants the reputation killing me would bring

That's why I'm here, lord, trying to clean the slate"

"And lord, here's what I'm offering

Today his draw will be lightning fast, and mine, well, it'll be a little bit slower

Forgive what you can of this gunslinger's past, 'cause I don't aim to sin anymore"

The rain had stopped, so I slipped away

The man never knew I was there

He lay dead an hour later, beaten they say

But I'd heard, that gunslinger's prayer