Okay. Here it goes. I'm sorry that it has taken me so long to get to this. Things have been a bit rushed lately.



THE GHOST OF THIRSTY JOE
by Pat Clinton

I was sleeping by the fire
On the plains of Idaho,
When I woke up with a start
And saw the ghost of Thirsty Joe,
Still bleeding where
John Hannah's bullet
Caught him in the chest.
He begged for me to get revenge
And let him take his rest.

I ain't known as any good man, I believe.
I've got notches on my pistol and aces up my sleeve.
But, I'd rather face the dyin' and the burryin' below
Than be haunted in my sleepin'
By the ghost of Thirsty Joe.

It was two or three weeks later
I drove the herd to town.
I stepped inside the barroom
And I bought the boys a round
When In walked old John Hannah
I turned to face him slow.
I said, "I've got a message
From your old friend Thirsty Joe."

His eyes were glzed with whiskey.
His face looked dead and grey.
He looked around for help
But, all his friends had turned away.
he turned and asked me,"Stranger,
How is my old friend?"
I said, "Old Joe is thirsty, still.
He's thirsty for revenge."

I ain't known as any boastful man, I guess.
I wear the scars of twenty towns
Where I was second best.
But about this time tomorrow when the sun begins to show
I recon you'll be dyin'
Just to please old Thirsty Joe.

I was waiting there the next day.
The morning light was dim.
I heard some steps behind me
And I reconed it was him.
I turned and said, "John Hannah,
I'm bound to take your life."
But when I turned it wasn't him.
It was John Hannah's wife.

She was an angel.
She would take your breath away.
She said, "I'm gonna haunt you
If you lay him in the clay."
I mounted without speaking and rode back to Idaho.
I rather would be haunted by the ghost of Thirsty Joe.

I ain't known as any sentimental man.
I put the past behind me as quickly as I can.
But, her face I still remember as I turned away to go.
At night time I'll describe it to
The ghost of Thirst Joe.
Yes, at night time I'll describe it to
My old friend Thirsty Joe.