Me and my uncle went ridin’ down
From South Colorado, West Texas bound.
We stopped over in Santa Fe
That bein’ the point just about half way
And you know it was the hottest part of the day.
And I took the horses up to the stall
Went to the barroom, ordered drinks for all.
Three days in the saddle, you know my body hurt
It bein’ summer, I took off my shirt
And I tried to wash off some of that dusty dirt.
West Texas cowboys, they’s all aroun’;
With liquor and money, they loaded down.
So soon after payday, know it seemed a shame;
You know my uncle, he starts a friendly game,
High-low jack and the winner take the hand.
My uncle starts winnin’; cowboys got sore.
One of them called him, and then two more
Accused him of cheatin’; Oh no, it couldn’t be.
I know my uncle, he’s as honest as me
And I’m as honest as a Denver man can be.
One of them cowboys, he starts to draw
And I shot him down, Lord, he never saw.
Shot me another, oh damn he won’t grow old.
In the confusion, my uncle grabbed the gold
And we high-tailed it down to Mexico.
Now with those cowboys, out of their gold,
I loved my uncle, God rest his soul
Taught me good, Lord, taught me all I know.
Taught me so well, I grabbed that gold
And I left his dead ass there by the side of the road.