(Ned Washington - Dimitri Tiomkin)



This is the story of two men

One, an ex-convict the other a man of honour

The exconvict vowed while in prison to kill the man of honour

"I can't be a coward", he says to his fair-haired beauty.



Do not forsake me, oh my darlin' on this our wedding day

Do not forsake me, oh my darlin' wait, wait along

I do not know what fate awaits me I only know I must be brave

And I must face a man who hates me or lie a coward, a craven coward

Or lie a coward in my grave.



Oh, to be torn 'twixt love and duty s'posin' I lose my fair-haired beauty

Look at that big hand move along nearin' High Noon

He made a vow while in state's prison vowed it would be my life or his'n

I'm not a afraid of death, but oh, what will I do if you leave me?



Do not forsake me, oh my darlin' you made that promise as a bride

Do not forsake me, oh my darlin'

Although you're grieving don't think of leaving

Now that I need you by my side...