The mist rolled slowly down the river
The willow stood dark against the sky
And then he stepped straight into my pathway
And I know’d that one of us must die.
I’d trailed him here to do my lawful duty
So help me but I didn’t want to shoot
To some he was Fredrico de Ban-deed – o
But to me he was just Fred my crested newt.
As kids we’d walked these quiet woods together
We both were hunters in the grand old style
But I’d grow’d up to be a lonesome law–man
And that was how I’d brung my friend to trial.
Then he broke jail one dusty summer’s evening
The night before he was to meet his end
Some said, “Turn all the dogs out and let’s maul him.”
But I said, “No, I’ll shoot him – after all he is my friend.”
Chorus:
I killed my pal I killed my pal
I killed my pal I killed my pal
His condition now is mort not petit mal
In life he played his part ‘til I broke his poor old heart
I killed my pal I killed my pal
I killed my pal
Go for your gun old pal now let’s draw quickly
Let’s do what we both know now must be done
I’m giving you more chance than you gave old Jeth–ro
The man you killed even though I was his son.
Fred drew his gun and I shot him without thinking
When I saw the blood I know’d that he would die
Just where I hit him Lord knows I can’t tell you
But when he spoke his voice was awful high
Rest easy friend farewell’s are not for buddies
We’ll meet again across the Great Divide
Where we’ll hunt and shoot and fish in peace for-ev-er
Just a boy and his newt in glory side by side
You know someone once said this life is like a card game
Fate deals the hand and an honest deal is rare
Some start flush and some have all the ac – es
But all I have is just a little pair.
