Marty remains the Master. Gunfighter ballads forever.
I'm as much a Marty Robbins fan as I am a fan of sixguns. Big Iron, as mentioned, is great, as is Running Gun and Utah Carol.
from Running Gun:
Far behind lay Kansas City and the past that I had earned
Twenty notches on my sixgun marked the lessons I had learned
Many times I sold my fast gun for a place to lay my head
Till the nights began to haunt me by the men that I left dead.
...
Well I knew someday I'd meet him for his hand like lightning flashed
My own sixgun still in leather as his bullet tore it's path
As my strength was slowly fading, I could see him walk away
And I knew that where I lie today, he to must lie some day
from Utah Carol:
When he got the stampede turned and saved Lenore his friend
He turned to face the cattle and meet his fatal end
His six gun flashed like lightning, the report rang loud and clear
As the cattle rushed and killed him he dropped the leading steer
On his funeral morning I heard the preacher say
I hope we'll all meet Utah at the roundup far away
And lest I forget, Billy the Kid:
Ill sing you the true song of Billy the Kid
Ill sing of some desperate deeds that he did
Way out in New Mexico long long ago
When a man's only chance was his own forty-four
...
Was on a sad night when poor Billy died
He said to his friend, "I'm not satisfied
There's twenty one men I have put bullets through
Sheriff Pat Garrett must make twenty two!"
Ill sing you how Billy the Kid met his fate
The bright moon was shinin', the hour was late
Shot down by Pat Garrett who once was his friend
The young outlaw's life is now come to an end.
