Bill the Kid, who was born Henry McCarty, is probably the most famous of all western gunfighters. He did not acually kill the 21 men this song credits him with however. In the 16 documented gun-fights, he is credited with the death of only four, and assisted through the course of robberies, probably the death of another five.
I'll sing you a true song of Billy the Kid; I'll
sing of the desperate deeds that he did. Way
out in New Mexico long, long ago, When a man's only chance
was his own forty-four.
Verse 2: When Billy the Kid was a very young lad, In old Silver City he went to the bad. Way out in the West with his gun in his hand, At the age of twelve years, he killed his forst man.
Verse 3: Fair Mexican maidens play guitars and sing, A song about Billy, their boy bandit king. How ere his young man-hood had reached its sad end, He'd a notch on his pistol for twenty-one men.
Verse 4: 'Twas on the same night, when poor Billy died, He said to his friends, "I am not satisfied; There are twenty-one men I have put bullets through, And Sheriff Pat Garrett will make twenty-two."
Verse 5: Now this is how Billy the Kid net his fate: The bright moon was shining, the hour was late, Shot down by Pat Garrett, who once was his friend. The young outlaw's life had come to an end.
Verse 6: There's many a man with a face fine and fair, Who starts out in life with a chance to be square. But just like poor Billy, he wanders astray, And loses his life in the very same way.
