We were playing cards just the other night And the game descended into a fight A farmer's son pulled his gun on me I shot him down I watched him bleed Sweet Lord have mercy on my soul Sweet Lord have mercy on my soul I took my gun And I killed someone Have mercy on your wicked son The posse's hard upon my trail And if they catch me, they'll throw me in jail The sheriff and I don't see eye to eye I think he'd like to see me die Sweet Lord have mercy on my soul Sweet Lord have mercy on my soul I took my gun And I killed someone Have mercy on your wicked son I've got my pistols out by my side They say you can run, but you sure can't hide But I'm gonna go out with a bang 'Cause if I don't, then I'm gonna hang Sweet Lord have mercy on my soul Sweet Lord have mercy on my soul I took my gun And I killed someone Have mercy on your wicked son