Now folks have sung of gunmen with lightning in their hands of riders crossing deserts and fighting outlaw bands They talk of fastest pistols and names carved into lead but Dodge City knows a legend that never much gets said He wore a badge like sunrise he walked like judgment day he could make a rowdy cattleman put both his knives away But when Miss Kitty smiled at him and asked him how he’d been the fastest silence in the West came galloping right in He had the fastest silence in the West quicker than a bullet leaving town he could stop a bank raid with one look but love could knock him down He had the fastest silence in the West fast as dust across the plain Miss Kitty said, “Good evening, Matt” and his words missed every train I seen him face a gambler who was reaching for his gun Matt said, “Don’t try it, mister” and the fight was nearly done I seen him stop a brawler with a chair above his head Matt only raised one eyebrow and the chair apologized instead But Kitty touched a whiskey glass and leaned there soft and still and Matt became a mountain with a hat brim and a will His mouth began to open then the sentence turned around and ran clear back to Texas without making any sound He had the fastest silence in the West quicker than a bullet leaving town he could stop a bank raid with one look but love could knock him down He had the fastest silence in the West fast as dust across the plain Miss Kitty said, “Good evening, Matt” and his words missed every train Doc said, “That man is breathing but conversation’s gone” Chester checked the doorway to see where the words had flown I said, “Matthew, say something” he said, “Festus, let it be” which was nearly an oration from a man that quiet as he Miss Kitty knew the weather inside that marshal’s chest she watched his quiet thundercloud roll east and then northwest She never pushed the poor man she let him wear his pride but every time he tipped his hat the whole saloon nearly cried He had the fastest silence in the West quicker than a bullet leaving town he could stop a bank raid with one look but love could knock him down He had the fastest silence in the West fast as dust across the plain Miss Kitty said, “Good evening, Matt” and his words missed every train Now one day came a stranger with a fancy silver vest he said, “I hear this marshal is the quickest in the West” The town all gathered round him expecting smoke and flame but Festus said, “Now hold up, boys, you misunderstood the name” “This ain’t about a pistol this ain’t about a fight this is about the speed of quiet on a Long Branch Saturday night” Then Kitty called, “Marshal Dillon” with a smile as bright as noon and Matt went silent so darn fast he vacuumed out the room He had the fastest silence in the West quicker than a bullet leaving town he could stop a bank raid with one look but love could knock him down He had the fastest silence in the West fast as dust across the plain Miss Kitty said, “Good evening, Matt” and his words missed every train The stranger dropped his challenge and backed toward the door he said, “I’ve seen some deadly men but never that before” The piano started trembling the bartender crossed his heart for no man wants to duel silence when it’s loaded at the start Matt looked calm and noble as if he planned the whole affair but his ears were red as sunset and his thoughts were everywhere Miss Kitty laughed so softly that the lamps began to shine and poured him one more whiskey for the words he couldn’t find He had the fastest silence in the West quicker than a bullet leaving town he could stop a bank raid with one look but love could knock him down He had the fastest silence in the West fast as dust across the plain Miss Kitty said, “Good evening, Matt” and his words missed every train So if you ride through Dodge City and hear no shot or yell but feel a hush so powerful it rings like chapel bell Don’t reach for your revolver don’t hide beneath your vest it’s just old Marshal Dillon with the fastest silence in the West And if you see Miss Kitty with that knowing little grin you’ll understand the battle that the marshal never wins For outlaws come and outlaws go and legends f
