"Coward of the County" by Kenny Rogers

Everyone considered him the coward of the county --
Hed never stood one single time to prove the county wrong.
His mama named him Tommy, but folks just called him yellow,
Something always told me they were reading Tommy wrong.

He was only ten years old when his daddy died in prison
I looked after Tommy, cause he was my brothers son.
I still recall the final words my brother said to Tommy,
Son my life is over, but yours has just begun.

CHORUS:
Promise me, son, not to do the things Ive done --
Walk away from trouble if you can.
It wont mean youre weak if you turn the other cheek
I hope youre old enough to understand,
Son, you dont have to fight to be a man.

Theres someone for everyone, and Tommys love was Becky.
In her arms he didnt have to prove he was a man.
One day while he was working, the Gatlin boys came calling
--
They took turns at Becky, nthere was three of them.

Tommy opened up the door, and saw Becky crying.
The torn dress, the shattered look was more than he could
stand.
He reached above the fireplace, and took down his daddys
picture.
As his tears fell on his daddys face, he heard these words
again:

REPEAT CHORUS

The Gatlin boys just laughed at him when he walked into the
barroom
One of them got up and met him half way cross the floor.
When Tommy turned around they said, Hey look! old yellers
leaving,
But you couldve heard a pin drop when Tommy stopped and
locked the door.

Twenty years of crawling were bottled up inside him.
He wasnt holding nothing back -- he let em have it all.
When Tommy left the bar room, not a Gatlin boy was standing.
He said, This ones for Becky, as he watched the last one
fall. n I
heard him say,

I promised you, Dad, not to do the things youve done
I walk away from trouble when I can
Now please dont think Im weak, I didnt turn the other cheek,
And papa, I should hope you understand --
Sometimes you gotta fight when youre a man.

Everyone considered him the coward of the county.