Me and my uncle went ridin' down,

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.



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.



When Texas cowboys, they's all around,

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.

Well I grabbed a bottle, cracked him in the jaw,

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.



I love those cowboys, I love 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