I HUNG MY HEAD

Original Sting version

Early one morning with time to kill
I borrowed Jeb's rifle and sat on the hill
I saw a lone rider crossing the plain
I drew a bead on him to practice my aim
My brother's rifle went off in my hand
A shot rang out across the land
The horse he kept running, the rider was dead
I hung my head, I hung my head

I set off running to wake from the dream
And my brother's rifle went into the stream
I kept on running into the salt lands
And that's where they found me, my head in my hands
The sheriff he asked me, "Why had I run"
And then it came to me just what I had done
And all for no reason, just one piece of lead
I hung my head, I hung my head

Here in the courthouse, the whole town is there
I see the judge high up in his chair
"Explain to the courtroom what went through your mind
And we'll ask the jury what verdict they find"
I said, "I felt the power of death over life
I orphaned his children, I widowed his wife
I beg their forgiveness, I wish I was dead"
I hung my head, I hung my head
I hung my head, I hung my head

Early one morning with time to kill
I see the gallows up on the hill
And out in the distance a trick of the brain
I see a lone rider crossing the plain
Well he come to fetch me to see what they done
And we'll ride together 'til Kingdom come
I pray for God's mercy for soon I'll be dead
I hung my head, I hung my head
I hung my head, I hung my head
I hung my head, I hung my head
I hung my head, I hung my head
I hung my head, I hung my head
I hung my head, I hung my head
I hung my head, I hung my head
I hung my head, I hung my head...
[fades out]

Info

I HUNG MY HEAD is a song written by Sting who originally released it on his 1996 album Mercury Falling. The above lyrics are for the original Sting version of I HUNG MY HEAD as released in 1996.

Sting -- Mercury Falling

LP - A&M Records (540 486 1) - Europe, 1996
CD - A&M Records (540 486 2) - Europe, 1996
MC - A&M Records (540 486 4) - Europe, 1996
DCC - A&M Records (540 486 5) - Europe, 1996

Bruce Springsteen's Version

Bruce Springsteen performed I HUNG MY HEAD live twice, in 2011 and 2014. Both performances were during events honoring Sting. See the live 01 Oct 2011 version for more details.

Available Versions

List of available versions of I HUNG MY HEAD on this website:

Page last updated: 31 Dec 2019