We'll Stand Up and Fight

I thought we were finished with all of our troubles
And left 'em back home in the Kentucky sand
Survived all the battles of war of death and ashes
We were hoping for peace in the great Texas land

But Kentucky came late claimed all of the battles
We crossed the Red River at noon yesterday
Two outlaws stopped us demanded our horses
But they're through with hijacking after today

I got off the wagon to quite the horses
They didn't see Bessy a dozen and more
They fell from their saddles I gathered their horses
A two barreled shotgun has evened the score

Wife and the children are still in the wagon
Molly cries softly but muffles the sound
The clank of the shovel attracts no attention
I bury them deep and then smooth out the ground

Our entry to Texas was less than a welcome
I'm still excited we finally arrived
A chance to start over and nothing will stop us
We'll call Texas home for the rest of our lives

We drive into town as if nothing has happened
Jefferson's quite on a hot afternoon
We were planning to stop spend a day or two resting
We'll sleep tonight beneath the big Texas Moon

Then a rider approached as I reigned in my horse
We shook hands and howdy and talked for a spell
My eye caught his badge and I read US Marshal
I was churning inside and I'm sure he could tell

He said there's some bad man who pray on the settlers
I told him what happened at noon yesterday
I was sure he'd arrest me but he just smiled politely
Said thanks for the help and then bid us good day

But I'm sure some will think what I did was not proper
But I did what I had to I'm sure I was right
We're not hunting trouble we're peace loving people
But if trouble should find us we'll stand up and fight

Our grass will be stocked with the great longhorn cattle
Our horses will come from the finest of mares
Our children will grow like a cottonwood sapling
They'll learn how to stand and contribute their share

We've a chance to start over and nothing will stop us
We'll call Texas home for the rest of our lives