A Funny Thing Happened On the Way To My Hanging

A funny thing happened on the way to my hanging Couldn't sleep the night before my head was banging I was innocent of a crime that I did not commit But they roughed me up and got me to admit. The face on the wanted posters said it was me Anyone seeing those posters would be inclined to agree I was in a horse drawn prison wagon with bars down the side Thinking to myself, it will be my last ever ride. Heading for the gallows then onto Boot hill To pay for shooting a bank teller that I didn't kill Two miles from the town all hell did break loose Unbeknownst to me I'd be dodging the noose. For ten desperados' brought the wagon to stop Then ordered the guards, their weapons they drop Some gang members got me out and they set me free The gang leader approached and he looked just like me. He said " in this life you look out for your own " Then he told me something that I hadn't known " We were Separated at birth and we had the same mother " And that this mean desperado was in fact my twin brother . " We heard that you'd been framed for our crime spree But you are my brother and that's why we've set you free. The teller had died because he went for his gun We grabbed all the money and went on the run ". He gave me some money and said " start a new life " Told me head south, settle down and find a good wife There was so much I wanted to ask him and so much to say My brother said " some other time, best be on your way " . Written on 4th July 2018. For a funny thing happened on the way to...poetry contest, sponsored by Robert Haigh.