Cottonwood Tree Marty Robbins

[Verse 1]
I rode into Tucson three hours ago
For supplies and a short friendly game of poker
While Smitty put some new shoes
On Old Dan before he goes lame
I sat in a game at the Miner's Saloon
Soon I had doubled my stake
The cards run like they'd been dealt by Lady Luck
They were just sealin' my fate

[Refrain]
A young cowboy lost more than he could afford
And accused me of dealin' too smart
His draw was too slow and he fell to the floor
With three bullets close to the heart

[Chorus]
Oh, cottonwood tree, are you waiting for me
Waiting to take me away
I've done no wrong, but the town cannot see
And so with my life I must pay

[Verse 2]
A crowd started gatherin' the sheriff came in
I handed him over my gun
Was then when I found out the boy I had killed
Was the town's biggest man's only son
I tried to explain I had shot in defense
It was the young cowboy or me
The crowd wouldn't listen, so they drug me out
To the limb of this cottonwood tree
Majestically standing out here all alone
It's spring and the valley is green
But I can't admire a place I don't belong
To me, it's all like a bad dream