He was a friend of mine He was a friend of mine His killing had no purpose No reason or rhyme He was a friend of mine He was in Dallas town He was in Dallas town From a sixth floor window A gunner shot him down He died in Dallas town He never knew my name He never knew my name And though I never met him I knew him just the same He was a friend of mine Leader of the nation For such a precious time He was a friend of mine He was a friend of mine He was a friend of mine