Thirteen Loops

In a tired little cabin, on a sleepless night

I watched daddy slip off

He rode right out of sight

His line of work, was an honorable sin Mama prayed when I grow up, I wouldn’t follow after him

From town to town, I find my work

Lay on a feather bed made of dirt

I’m moving quick, I tend not to stick around

A poor man’s got poor ways

And living easy ain’t always right

‘cause there’s 13 loops in the knot I tie

I worked my way back to my hometown

This hangman’s hands are tired

They’re worn and battered down

One more job and one more loose end to tie

I don't know if I have it in me, to take another life

From town to town, I find my work

Lay on a feather bed made of dirt

I move quick, luck ain’t always on my side

A poor man’s got poor ways

And living easy ain’t always right

‘cause there’s 13 loops in the knot I Tie

Well, I found myself in

A predicament I’d never been

An old friend, doomed to swing at my hand

A life I would save

But a job id fail

My one true friend, I wish you well

Well, the price I’d have to pay, for letting him go

They'll swing me from my gallows

Just my body left for show

Well this line of work, was an honorable sin

But I earned my keep

Just like my old man did