The Sandhill Strangers - Mourning Dove Lyrics

Well, yes, I shot that mourning dove on that cold winter day
Yes, I killed that singin' bird and now they're takin' me away
They said I shot that pretty little gal, Lord that wasn't me
No, I just killed that singin' bird, so Johnny Law let me be

Well I woke up about a half-past ten with a crow flyin' all around
I grabbed my hat and I grabbed my gun and I headed on into town
Then I walked past church and I blew it a kiss, said "Lord, I ain't got the time
I'm takin' my two fine feet downtown, gonna see what I can find"

Yes, I shot that mourning dove on that cold winter day
Yes, I killed that singin' bird and now they're takin' me away
They said I shot that pretty little gal, Lord that wasn't me
No, I just killed that singin' bird, so Johnny Law let me be

Well I went down to 7th and Oak, to Tommy's old liquor store
Got the whiskey down on that bottom shelf, drank it down bought me one more
Then I walked up town to a ratty old shack, banged a few times on the window
Her mama came out all dressed in white, said "Boy, you're nothin' but sin, oh"

Yes, I shot that mourning dove on that cold winter day
Yes, I killed that singin' bird and now they're takin' me away
They said I shot that pretty little gal, Lord that wasn't me
No, I just killed that singin' bird, so Johnny Law let me be

Well I blew two rounds right through that door, where they landed I'll never tell
I been runnin' and prayin' ever since, Lord save me from Hell
Well my money ran out somewhere down low by the border where the law-dogs lie
Waitin' for po' bank robbin' fools to try and pass 'em by

Yes, I shot that mourning dove on that cold winter day
Yes, I killed that singin' bird and now they're takin' me away
They said I shot that pretty little gal, Lord that wasn't me
No, I just killed that singin' bird, so Johnny Law let me be

Well, I heard they'd give me forty years, but that's not all too long
'Cause I got a rope and a wooden stool and tomorrow I'll be gone

Yes, I shot that mourning dove on that cold winter day
Yes, I killed that singin' bird and now they're takin' me away
And yes, I killed that pretty little gal, now I can't be free
So, Lord, I guess I had the time and now it's too late for me