The Gun

This is the story of love that came undone
This is the story of two men
And a gun of two men and a gun

A man that I'd never met stole my wife and son
But that's been nearly three years now
And it's over with and done

At first I'd stare out into space
While hate consumed my soul
Hate was the creed by which I lived
And revenge my only goal

But the road to happiness isn't paved with hate
I'm glad I learned how to forgive before it was too late

Now here's the way the other man
Paid for what he'd done
I heard it from the man's own lips
Who took my wife and son

I didn't really know this man but I'd seen him 'round
He's a new guard at the factory
Where I work, west of town

This fellow swung into step with me and said I've got to talk
I listened spellbound at his words
As we stood on the walk

You, the guard said hoarsely
Are a kind man, I surmise
As he stood there with his handkerchief
Wiping in his eyes

Three years ago I wronged a man
I stole his wife and son
I didn't realize then the terrible thing that I had done

This thing gets hold of me at night
And I can't sleep or rest
Forgive me, sir, but telling it
Seems to get it off my chest

When my past looms up like this
It kinda helps me to unload
I'm one man, sir, who knows for sure
That you reap just what you sow

I sure appreciate your listening, it helps me a lot
You know to have that man's forgiveness
I'd give everything I've got

Well, I feel much better now I, I didn't get your name
More why that was my wife's name before we wed
It's odd your name's the same

You know I'd kill a man
Who'd do to me the thing that I've done
And when the truth got through to him
He handed me his gun

As I gave the weapon back
I said what's done is done
All I ask is just be kind to Jenny and my son