The Hanging Of Charlie Birger

[G5]I will tell you of a bandit in a great midwestern state
Who never learned his lesson until it was too late
This man was bold and careless and the leader of his gang
His boldness did not save him when the law said, "You must hang"
When the law said, “You must hang”
When the law said, “You must hang”
His boldness did not save him
When the law said, “You must hang”

[Bb]        [C]           [G5]
[Bb]        [C]           [G5]

This bandit's name was Birger he lived at Shady Rest
The people learned to fear him throughout the middle west
It was out in old West City Joe Adams was shot down
Then the cry of justice said, "The murderers must be found"
"The murderers must be found"
"The murderers must be found"
The cry of justice said
"The murderers must be found"

Dan Thomasson was arrested, he turned state's evidence
Charlie Birger was found guilty for he had no defense
He asked for a re-hearing but this he was denied
Out in the county jailhouse to take his life he tried
To take his life he tried
To take his life he tried
Out in the county jailhouse
To take his life he tried

On the nineteenth day of April in nineteen twenty-eight
Way out west in Benton Charlie Birger met his fate
Another life has ended; another chapter done
Another man has gambled in the game that can't be won
In the game that can't be won
In the game that can't be won
Another man has gambled
In the game that can't be won