Early one morning
With time to kill
I borrowed Jebb's rifle
And sat on a hill
I saw a lone rider
Crossing the plain
I drew a bead on him
To practice my aim

My brother's rifle
Went off in my hand
A shot rang out
Across the land
The horse, he kept running
The rider was dead
I hung my head
I hung my head

I set off running
To wake from the dream
My brother's rifle
Went into the sheen
I kept on running
Into the south lands
That's where they found me
My head in my hands

The sheriff he asked me
Why had I run
And then it come to me
Just what I had done
And all for no reason
Just one piece of lead
I hung my head
I hung my head

Here in the court house
The whole town was there
I see the judge
High up in the chair
Explain to the court room
What went on in your mind
And we'll ask the jury
What verdict they find

I felt the power
Of death and life
I orphaned his children
I widowed his wife
I begged their forgiveness
I wish I was dead
I hung my head
I hung my head

I hung my head
I hung my head

Early one morning
With time to kill
I see the gallows
Up on a hill
And out in the distance
A trick of the brain
I see a lone rider
Crossing the plain

And he'd come to fetch me
To see what they'd done
And we'd ride together
To kingdom come
I prayed for god's mercy
For soon I'd be dead
I hung my head
I hung my head

I hung my head
I hung my head



Lyrics submitted by Cisite

Track duration: 03:53

"I Hung My Head" as written by Gordon Sumner

Lyrics © EMI Music Publishing

Lyrics powered by LyricFind


I Hung My Head. song meanings
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12 Comments

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  • 0
    General Comment:This whole album is full of stuff that makes me cry. It's Cash's voice that does it. he's so emotive, and songs like this really fit him.
    Flag fanglefishon June 25, 2010   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:Powerful voice. makes a great song
    Flag rustycarpettacon June 16, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:More proof that Cash could take any song and make it his own. The song is so powerful.
    Flag Cracker Jackon June 03, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:He Did Something Wrong.
    And Admited It To Himself.
    After He Felt Guilt..
    And Pain For The Family.
    Its an Amazing Song.
    Flag jap24on April 28, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:This song is so meaningful, they way you can ruin your life by just one stupid mistake

    Just One Piece of Lead
    Flag GracieGurlon March 19, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:great song, it tells a story, cash was one of the greatest at doing that
    Flag abrokedownlaxmanon March 03, 2007   Link
  • +1
    General Comment:I love this song so much. I listen to Melodic Death Metal, Rap and a bunch of other genres.. It wouldn't seem like I'd be the person to listen to Johnny Cash, but he's just so amazing. His songs are so powerful.. and the ones he covers just sound like they're meant for him. I love the stories in the songs, and the meanings are just amazing. Johnny Cash is just amazing.. I'm sad that we've lost him, but atleast we can still listen to his amazing voice..
    Flag metallica572on February 09, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:Love this song
    Flag WhiteWolfon October 11, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:My father played this song for me and I've loved Cash ever since.
    Flag Cool Cozon August 08, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:prob my favorite song on the album.
    Flag inbetweenmoleculeson March 20, 2006   Link

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