You dropped them in their tracks
Hit 'em harder than an axe
Now I realize you did that without tryin
It was far, far too late
To save the fallen 48
But I could stop becomin "49"
Oh, I'd hate to be your number "49"
Saw them fallin' to the floor
Saw them comin'back for more
Then I saw them come and stab you from behind
Saw the hatred in their eyes
But it made me realize
If I warned you, I'd be branded "49"
(So the Man in the Moon turned blind)
I never heard you weepin
And I never heard you cryin
Lord knows I never guessed just how low you were flyin
Now I see you're hurt as bad
As all those people that you had
And I'd only hurt you more as "49"
(And I couldn't bear to be so unkind)