When I woke up this morning
I found myself alone
I turned to touch her hair
But she was gone, she was gone
And there beside my pillow
Were her tears from the night before
She said "Give up your guns and face the law"

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

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

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
"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"

And the sheriff now is calling
With his shotgun at my door
Son, give up your guns and face the law