Well, I seen Matt Dillon face a man with murder in his eyes I seen him stand at high noon under big and burning skies He never blinked at bullets never trembled at a knife but Kitty smiled across the room and scared him half to life Now Matt could stop a stampede with a look and just one hand he could make a gang of outlaws leave their boots stuck in the sand But when Miss Kitty asked him “Marshal, how’s your heart today?” he swallowed like a schoolboy and looked the other way Say it, Marshal, say it clean she ain’t no rattlesnake machine she’s just standing by the bar shining brighter than a star Say it, Marshal, don’t be slow even mules and buzzards know you can stare a killer down but you can’t say love in town Now Kitty ran the Long Branch with a velvet iron will she could pour a man a whiskey and make thunder sit still She knew when Matt was aching she knew when Matt was proud she could hear his quiet feelings though he never said them loud I was leaning by the doorway trying hard to look discreet which is difficult for Festus with these boots upon his feet I said, “Matthew, there’s a lady and she’s waiting mighty near” he said, “Festus, mind your business” so I whispered in his ear Say it, Marshal, say it clean she ain’t no rattlesnake machine she’s just standing by the bar shining brighter than a star Say it, Marshal, don’t be slow even mules and buzzards know you can stare a killer down but you can’t say love in town Then Doc came in complaining that romance was a disease he said, “I can cure a fever but not knees that turn to cheese” Chester dropped a coffee cup the piano lost a key and Kitty smiled at Matthew like she knew what all could be Matt adjusted his old hat brim like the world was on the line then he said, “Miss Kitty, evening” and considered that a sign Well, I nearly fell clean over from the poetry of the man if that was courtship in Dodge City I’m a dancing frying pan Say it, Marshal, say it clean she ain’t no rattlesnake machine she’s just standing by the bar shining brighter than a star Say it, Marshal, don’t be slow even mules and buzzards know you can stare a killer down but you can’t say love in town Now the outlaws kept on riding and the dust kept rolling by and the coyotes heard more secrets than the stars up in the sky But every night at closing when the lamps were burning low Matt would stand there saying nothing and Miss Kitty still would know So I sing this little warning to all heroes brave and tall don’t let pride become your saddle don’t let silence build a wall For a heart may dodge a bullet and survive the wildest ride but it still needs one small sentence from the foolish man inside Say it, Marshal, say it clean she ain’t no rattlesnake machine she’s just standing by the bar shining brighter than a star Say it, Marshal, don’t be slow even mules and buzzards know you can stare a killer down but you can’t say love in town Yes, you can stare a killer down you can wear that badge and frown but when Kitty smiles at you even Dodge City knows it’s true So say it, Marshal, say it plain before I sing this verse again for if Festus has to help you start he’ll talk the legs clean off your heart
