We were lyin' on the prairie, on Slaughter's ranch one night
With our heads upon our saddles, and a campfire burnin' bright
Soon we fell to talkin' of distant friends so dear
When a boy raised up his saddle, and he wiped away a tear

Oh, I fell in love with a neighbor girl, her cheeks were soft and white
Another feller loved her too, and it ended in a fight
Oh, it makes me shake and shudder to think of that awful night
When Tom and I began to fight, and I stabbed him with my knife

I fell down on my knees and tried to stop the blood
That came out from his side all spurtin'
Like some bright red crimson flood

And now when I am sleepin' I hear him softly say,
Oh Bob, I know your sorry, but I've gone to a better place
And yes, I guess I believe it, but I just can't let him go
His dyin' eyes are with me, from the plains to Mexico