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The Ballad Of Brushy Bill Roberts
Country Rock with a Mexican flavor
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Mike Allen
2002 ITSMYSONG MUSIC (ASCAP)
Good For Something
Mon Dec 30, 2002
Country : Alternative Country
2002 ITSMYSONG MUSIC (ASCAP)
Good For Something
Mon Dec 30, 2002
Country : Alternative Country
Take charge
Charts position
» highest in charts: # 689 (47,265 songs currently listed in Country)
» highest in sub-genre: # 121 (6,450 songs currently listed in Country > Alternative Country)
» highest in sub-genre: # 121 (6,450 songs currently listed in Country > Alternative Country)
About the song
I'm an Old West nut, and this has always been one of my favorite stories. An old man came out back in the 1950s and claimed to be Billy the Kid, supposedly having a lot of proof. The Governor of New Mexico screwed him at the pardon hearing, causing Bill to have a stroke and he died of a heart attack before the issue could ever be resolved. I don't know if I completely believe the story, but it's a hell of a lot better ending for Billy the Kid than getting killed by your best friend.
Lyrics
The Ballad Of "Brushy" Bill Roberts-
Well, they call me "Brushy" Bill these days/
But I want someone to know/The name I wore was Billy the Kid/When I rode through Hell and New Mexico/Now the history books all tell you/That I died and can't be me/But if I ever rest in my grave/There is just no one else that I can be/Now to this day I still don't know/Cause we never spoke again/I hope Pat knew it wasn't me there/ When he brought ol' Bill Barlow to his end/But the bulets they were a flyin'/Hit me high and low and true/I thought I was for sure a gonner/A hell of a thing for a friend to do
CHORUS:
I was riding high; I was riding fast/Riding a trail never meant to last/Staying alive staying one step ahead of the game/Everybody would always say/You're gonna get killed or caught someday/I wish they'd been right, cause I'm a man without a name
From that night there in Ft. Sumner/I have lived full since I died/I have seen more than any man should/Yeah I had to run, but I did not hide/I have worn a badge a time/And made the ride up San Juan Hill/But even with all I've seen and done/ My heart is in New Mexico still
(CHORUS)
I know some will call me a liar/Many will not want to believe/I'm just an old man reaching the end/All I want to find is a little peace/Even though I know I was not wrong/I've spent a lifetime on the roam/Now I just want a pardon from you/And have my name there on my stone
(CHORUS)
Well, they call me "Brushy" Bill these days/
But I want someone to know/The name I wore was Billy the Kid/When I rode through Hell and New Mexico/Now the history books all tell you/That I died and can't be me/But if I ever rest in my grave/There is just no one else that I can be/Now to this day I still don't know/Cause we never spoke again/I hope Pat knew it wasn't me there/ When he brought ol' Bill Barlow to his end/But the bulets they were a flyin'/Hit me high and low and true/I thought I was for sure a gonner/A hell of a thing for a friend to do
CHORUS:
I was riding high; I was riding fast/Riding a trail never meant to last/Staying alive staying one step ahead of the game/Everybody would always say/You're gonna get killed or caught someday/I wish they'd been right, cause I'm a man without a name
From that night there in Ft. Sumner/I have lived full since I died/I have seen more than any man should/Yeah I had to run, but I did not hide/I have worn a badge a time/And made the ride up San Juan Hill/But even with all I've seen and done/ My heart is in New Mexico still
(CHORUS)
I know some will call me a liar/Many will not want to believe/I'm just an old man reaching the end/All I want to find is a little peace/Even though I know I was not wrong/I've spent a lifetime on the roam/Now I just want a pardon from you/And have my name there on my stone
(CHORUS)
