[Chorus] The shadow of the cactus Is six feet long [Verse 1] For days and days Ive walked it seems a thousand weary miles The sun so hot, my waters gone, the fevers got me wild Up ahead, I see a cactus tree and some dried out skulls and bones But its a place where I can rest in a shadow six feet long [Chorus] The shadow of the cactus Is six feet long [Verse 2] This sack of gold is hardly worth the pain Im going through My lips are parched, my eyes are blurred, my strength is failing too Id gladly give the gold I got for one small glimpse of home But that sun keeps gettin higher, now the shadows five feet long [Chorus] The shadow of the cactus Is only fiv feet long [Verse 3] Oh cactus tree Im not the first to lie benath your shade And cry for water, loud and long and pray for bygone days Your needles press against my flesh, my hope is almost gone Theres no escape, theres no escape Your shadows four feet long [Chorus] The shadow of the cactus Is only four feet long [Verse 4] The sun is blinding in my spurs, its burning like a fire And the silver buckle of my belt feels like a branding iron I can see the buzzards circling as they wait to pick my bones They have a way of knowing, when the shadows three feet long [Chorus] The shadow of the cactus Is only three feet long [Verse 5] Now the shadows almost gone, but my burning eyes can see The sun reflecting on a badge, someone looking down at me Its the sheriff, hes got water, I dont care if theres no hope He saved me from a fiery grave, Ill be glad to see the rope So if you happen to be watching when theyve had me back for trial You can tell them at the hanging, why it was I wore a smile [Chorus] The shadow of the cactus Is almost gone
cactus, shadow, foot, long, six