BLOOD'S THICKER THAN WATER
(Wayne P. Walker / Danny Dill)


Hank Williams Jr. - 1965





Death bells are ringin' in Wichita town
Two brothers will meet when the sun's goin' down
"Blood's thicker than water", a poor mother cries
Which son will live which son will die

Jimmy Laredo a man with a dream
Sent his young brother Johnny to old Abilene
To bring back his true love, by name Katy Lee
The girl he intended his bride to be

The trip was a long one, they both came to know
That sometimes from friendship a sweet love will grow
He's bringin' her back in a new weddin' gown
And there'll be a showdown in Wichita town

Jimmy's not worried, his six gun's tied down
And no one outdraws him in Wichita town
But can he do it, can he kill his kin
"Blood's thicker than water", his Ma cries again

The stage made it's stop at the Last Chance Saloon
The crowd all stepped back to give both brothers room
Young Johnny stepped down, there was fear in his eyes
But for love of Katy he'd gladly die

They still tell the story to this very day
How their Ma jumped between them when Jim made his play
She cried out in anguish, "Oh, sons, are you blind?
If you must take a life, oh Lord, let it be mine"

Death bells are ringin' in Wichita town
They mourn for a mother whose sons shot her down
And there in the Wichita street where she lay
Blood's thicker than water her smile seemed to say






(Transcribed by Mel Priddle - August 2012)