THE STRANGER

A loner came to town one day, and we all sensed a danger
But all we really knew of him was that he was a stranger
He asked about a man called McKinley Needham
He was a friend of his - he'd be glad to see him
I volunteered to show the way to Mr. Needham's shop
The stranger smiled and said, "I'd be obliged Little Ragmop"

     You never know a man until you've known him through the years
     And then you only think you know him well
     You never really know his dreams; you never know his fears
     You may think you do . . . but only time will tell

The two men saw each other and then something felt uneasy
I looked at both of them and said, "I really must be leaving"
The stranger pulled a gun out and held it to my forehead
Ragmop you're not goin' nowhere, and if you try then you're dead
He turned to Mr. Needham and said, "Mac, I want it all . . .
All the gold we robbed from the bank at Dusty Falls"

     You never know a man until you've known him through the years
     And then you only think you know him well
     You never really know his dreams; you never know his fears
     You may think you do . . . but only time will tell

Mac said let the boy go now, I'll give you what you're after
The Stranger changed his aim and then broke out in wild laughter
I had to get the sheriff - I tore out of there screamin'
The whole town ran for cover as we heard shots ringin'
The sheriff - he was slow - and when we got there all we found
Was a trail of blood that led away from our small town

     You never know a man until you've known him through the years
     And then you only think you know him well
     You never really know his dreams; you never know his fears
     You may think you do . . . but only time will tell

And on the ground the body of a man who posed no danger
He found his final resting place - the man who was a stranger

              Written by Jeff Stewart and Bill Warrington
              Copyright 2006 Blue Clover Music (ASCAP) / Bill Warrington Music (BMI)