[Verse 1]
When I woke up this morning
I found myself alone
I turned to touch her hair but she was gone
She was gone

[Chorus]
And there beside my pillow
Were her tears from the night before
She said: "Give up your guns and face the law"

[Verse 2]
I robbed a bank in Tampa
And I thought I had it made
But, the hounds picked up my trail within the glades
So, I ran!

[Chorus]
And I stumbled on this cabin
And she came to me once more
She said: "Give up your guns and face the law"

[Bridge]
I don't wanna leave her!
I don't wanna die!
Deep within a cold, cold grave
With no one 'round to cry
But I've got my pistol
Now, it's time to choose
Shooting here or hanging there
And either way I lose
[Verse 3]
And now I'm in this cabin
Where my own true love should be
Instead there lies a note she wrote to me
And it says:

[Chorus]
"No! You can't live by the bullet
But you sure as death can die
My love! Give up your guns or say goodbye, goodbye!"

[Post-Chorus]
And the sheriff now is calling
With his shotgun at my door:
"Son! Give up your guns
And face the law"