Cottonwood Tree

C G7 I rode into Tucson three hours ago C For supplies and a short friendly game G7 Of poker while Smitty put some new shoes C On old Dan before he goes lame G7 I sat in a game at the Miner's Saloon C Soon I had doubled my stake G7 The cards run like they'd been dealt by Lady Luck C They were just sealing my fate F C A young cowboy lost more than he could afford F C And accused me of dealing too smart F C His draw was too slow and he fell to the floor G7 C With three bullets close to the heart F Em Oh cottonwood tree are you waiting for me Dm C Waiting to take me away F C I've done no wrong but the town cannot see G7 C And so with my life I must pay G7 A crowd started gathering the sheriff came in C I handed him over my gun G7 Was then when I found out the boy I had killed C Was the town's biggest man's only son G7 I tried to explain I had shot in defense C It was the young cowboy or me G7 The crowd wouldn't listen so they drug me out C To the limb of this cottonwood tree G7 Majestically standing out here all alone C It's spring and the valley is green G7 But I can't admire a place I don't belong C To me it's all like a bad dream F C But old Dan's beneath me with new shoes and all F C As they place the noose round my neck F C Cowboys I've never laid eyes on before G7 C Are tying my hands to my back F Em Oh cottonwood tree are you waiting for me Dm C Waiting to take me away F C I've done no wrong but the town cannot see G7 C And so with my life I must pay G7 I see hate in the eyes of the town's biggest man C As he pulls a branch from the tree G7 To whip the backside of my old pony Dan C So he'll run out from under me G7 Insane he won't listen to my last appeal C A wild grin has covered his face G7 As I tried to reason just how he would feel C If he were up here in my place G7 There's many a mountain trail I'll never ride C Green valleys I'll never see G7 A young cowboy died and a man's foolish pride C Brought me to this cottonwood tree Verse 11 F C My face is turned upward and I cannot breathe F C The sky's growing dark overhead F C The knot's pulling tight as my body sweeps free G7 C A few moments more I'll be dead F Em Oh cottonwood tree were you put here for me Dm C Put here to take me away F C I've done no wrong but the town cannot see G7 C And so with my life I must pay