He used to be a roving cowboy He used to he a rodeo cowhand He tried to rob the Kansas Railway Along with two other friends of mine I said for God's sake please don't do that They put it off for quite some time Until the fourth of January Such a cold and bitter time Snow was drifting on the line A mind confused is sometimes altered That's what a friend of mine who knows once told me Don't tell a madman with a shotgun That he is not supposed to shoot no one Foolishly heeding my own counsel Too easily tired of the fight They done the deed and was successful And returned that very night Looking the same around the eyes Having recently found Jesus I tried to speak to them, as friends should do Of the eternal consequences And about those hellfires that wait below They soon fell in with sweet companions Who helped them spend their evil wage Until the thought of precious Jesus Drove me to a holy rage And I knew they must be saved Now who comes riding across the prairie Seeking shelter from the wild deep snow Why it's the sheriff and his deputies seeking Information bout those three rodeo chums I did not know that they'd be sleeping That they'd come out with guns ablaze And that all three was to be murdered This was never my intention This I swear I did not know When I told the posse where to go He used to be a roving cowboy He used to he a rodeo cowhand He tried to rob the Kansas Railway Along with two other friends of mine I said for God's sake do not do that They put it off for quite some time Until the fourth of January Such a cold and bitter time Snow was drifting on the line