(tom mckeon, ron peterson)



We'd worked ourselves senseless

Been bustin' down fences

Drivin' dry cattle, no water in sight

As we sat 'round the fire

And cursed the barbed wire

A stranger broke into our light



Not knowin' no better

Some fool went for leather

But a whispered "i wouldn't"

Put an end to the fight

Then he said, "i'm for hire.

"you need a rider.

"and i don't mind ridin' at night."



[chorus]

Go light on the night hawk

He don't smile, he don't talk

To strangers, and seldom to friends

And you'll do well to listen

When he asks you to leave him alone

He won't ask you again



Though the man is a myst'ry

The story is hist'ry

How a range fire came

Like a thief in the night

Took his young wife and babies

His would-bes and maybes

And burned out the love in his life



[chorus]

Go light on the night hawk

He don't smile, he don't talk

To strangers, and seldom to friends

And you'll do well to listen

When he asks you to leave him alone

He won't ask you again