The lawman only wished to live in peace,

but that was dreaming, this was wild west,

a gun had no respect for the police

a showdown was the only legal test.

When two men walked out in the noonday sun

their speed determined which of them would die,

the final proclamation of a gun

as wives and lovers stayed at home to cry.

This gunfight, though, would live in history,

as word of what was happening sped round,

"The Marshal's facing up to Liberty!"

Two gunshots split the air - a fatal sound.

As Valance fell the world acclaimed his fall:

"That man there is the bravest of them all!"