Death bells are ringing in Wichita town

Two brothers will meet when the sun's going down

Blood's thicker than water poor mother cry which son will live which son will die

Jimmy Laredo a man with a dream sent his young brother Johnny to old Abilene

To bring back his true love by name Katy Lee the girl he attended his bride to be

The trip was along when they both came to know

That sometimes from friendship a sweet love would grow

He's bringing her back in a new weddin' gown

And there'll be a show down in Wichita town

Jimmy's not worried his six gun's tied down and no one outdraws him in Wichita town

But can he do it can he kill his kin blood's thicker than water his ma cries again

The stage made it stop at the Last Chance Saloon

The crowd all stepped back to give both brothers room

Young Johnny stepped down there was fear in his eyes

But for lover pity he'd gladly die

They still tell the story to this very day

How their ma jumped between them when Jim made it play

She cried out in anguish oh sons are you blind

If you must take a life oh Lord let it be mine

Death bells are ringing in Wichita town

They mourn for a mother whose son's shot her down

And there in the Wichita's street where she lay

Blood's thicker than water her smile seemed to say