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
[Verse 2]
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
[Verse 3]
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
[Chorus]
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
[Verse 4]
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
[Verse 5]
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
[Verse 6]
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
[Verse 7]
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
[Chorus]
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
[Verse 8]
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
[Verse 9]
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
[Verse 10]
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
[Chorus]
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
