Will Shepard

The day Will Shepard shot my dog His barn burned to the soil; The flames licked at the Autumn sky, The smoke as black as oil. I dropped the torch onto the earth, And felt the whole world turn, I stood and watched Will Shepard’s barn, I stood and watched it burn. The day Will Shepard shot my dog I set his horses free, They galloped over grass and sand, They galloped to the sea; I dropped my whip onto the floor And thoughts turned to my gun I stood and watched Will Shepard’s herd, I stood and watched them run. The day Will Shepard shot my dog I put him in the ground, My bullets found his heart and brain, He fell without a sound; And as his lifeblood ebbed away And light fled from his eyes, I stood and watched Will Shepard leave, I stood and watched him die. And now I sit here in my cell And through the bars I spy The carpenter with wood and nails, Who builds my gallows high; My vengeance has been satisfied As far as I can see, For that old dog Will Shepard shot Meant all the world to me.