Walkin' off the highway I'd been tryin' to catch a ride hungry and thirsty as a bear

Not a penny in my pockets and I'd ran out of pride

So I thought I'd try to bum myself a beer

When up stopped a wellknown posse starin' down at me

A big old shiny badge pinned on his vest

He said if you ain't got no money and you ain't got no job

Boy I'm placing you under arrest

Or you can get out of town before sundown and don't you never come back

Take your tambourine and your guitar string and move on down the track

Don't like the way that you comb your hair the way you drawl you all

And if you're not out of town before sundown you won't get out of town at all



Well I hitchhiked down to Phoenix I was following the sun

Prettiest place I think I've ever seen I met a sweet young lady but how was I to know

That pretty thing was only seventeen

Then I saw the red lights gleamin' and I heard the sirenes screamin'

A sound that fills the bravest hearts with fear

And that old sheriff didn't stutter when to me those words he uttered

Boy don't let the sun set on you here

You better get out of town before sundown...