the ballad of waterhole number 3 (code of the west)

i'll tell you a story that's never been told

of rapin' and killin'

and government gold

the place arizona

the year '84

sit back and i'll tell you some more

a thirty year captain

just earnin' his pay

was movin' a shipment of bullion that day

while men without honor were waitin' to test

the unwritten code of the west

it's the code of the west

you must honor your neighbor

the code of the west

to your own self be true

the code of the west

you must do unto others

do unto others before they do it unto you

sweet yellow

sweet yellow

sweet tangerine gold

you make a man fevered you make a man bold

so the town of delores that morning in may

was in for an infamous day

you don't draw with the stranger

if he's faster than you

you've sung your last ditty

you've kissed your last pretty

and played yer last hand if you do

when fate is the dealer you raise or you call

a chance takin' man plays the cards as they fall

a map worth a killin' is worth trackin' down

so off to integrity town

the code of the west ain't some words on a page

you just naturally know it when you come of age

you eat when you're hungry

you drink when you're dry

you look every man in the eye

it's the code of the west when the boys talk of women

the code of the west what you know you don't tell

the code of the west a man soaps his own saddle

brands his own cattle and some of his neighbour's as well

if you're buildin' fences then i ain't for hire

you get me for nothin' and i'll bring the wire

you patch up my windows

i'll plumb up your doors

if you scratch my back i'll scratch yours

it's the code of the west you must honour your neighbour

the code of the west to your own self be true

the code of the west you must do unto others

do unto others before them others do it unto you

a yellow haired woman is early to bloom

her laughter is roses

her smile is perfume

but the child of the lawman can die on the vine

with no man to take of her wine

it's the code of the west

you don't leave for tomorrow

the code of the west

what can be done today

the code of the west

it's a true fact of livin'

what so lovingly given will lovingly come back yer way

the desert was losing its fight with the sun

as cole stopped for water at hole number 1

just what was he chasin' he'd sure like to know

but he still had him two holes to go

the code of the west

show your backside to evil

the code of the west

give the devil his due

the code of the west

you must do unto others

do unto others before they do it unto you

now rapin' and killin'

ain't really so bad

but stealin' ole blue

now that made sheriff john mad

you don't help yourself to the eggs in the nest

of the man with the badge on his vest

for tumbleweeds tumblin' from boulder to stone

your permanent address is places unknown

you eat when your hungry

you drink when your dry

if wishes were eagles you'd fly

rest your head on your saddle

dream of fortune and fame

when the winds in the willow

a girl hugs her pillow

and wishes that she knew his name

now treat a girl tender

she'll preen like a bride

but take her for granted

she'll come for your hide

she'll shoot off your head

if you leave her behind

and you'll loose your natural mind

sweet yellow

sweet yellow

sweet tangerine gold

you make a man fevered you make a man bold

your warm like a woman a treasure to hold

sweet yellow sweet tangerine gold

you make a man fevered you make a man bold

sweet yellow sweet tangerine gold

you got to do unto others

do unto others before they do unto you

when a showdown is comin'

when a shootout is due

face up to the danger

throw a slug into a stranger

before he throws one into you

you gotta do unto others

do unto others before they do unto you

while ben was playin' steal the gold and make your gettaway

the other three played shoot em up and turnabouts fair play

but ben had tasted painted lips and heard the sirns song

so he could hardly keep from going wrong

it's the code of the west

heed the word of your sisters

the code of the west

make a left turn from sin

the code of the west

keep an eye on temptation

recite the quotation

that says when satan calls your name it doesn't matter

how you played the game 'cause all he cares about is

did you win?

now cole and john and henry j were feelin' mighty sad

to think a little sack of gold could turn a good man bad

but when you picked em meek and mild against the brave and bold

the meek inherit all the armys gold

now in the meantime billie girl was scemeing on her own

she know a healthy sweet young thing could live by bread alone

to play the tricky game of life a woman needs a plan

to play the game of love she needs a man. now lewton cole know billie had some mighty fetchin' ways

ol' ben would tell her everything and still get ninety days

beneath the rock beside the trail that leads to mexico

you'll find yourself a hundred pounds or so

it's the code of the west

every girl needs a dowery

the code of the west

and it don't matter whose

the code of the west

when a girls pushin' twenty

she's gotta end up with plenty

if she wants to end up with rice in her shoes

well cole had a few other things left to do

he flowered his stetson

and boarded ol blue

the rougher you treat em

the stronger they grieve

and the longer they watch when you leave

oh mexico is just ahead so gambler move along

there ain't nobody there to care if you did right or wrong

you shot a thief

you found some gold you stole a kiss or two

and the worlds a better place because of you

oh the code of the west

when you're drinkin' toquilla

the code of the west

toast the red white and blue

the code of the west

be kind to your neighbors

your new northern neighbors

remember they've been awfully good to you!