The Man from San Jacinto

[Intro] [Fingerpicked guitar, soft wind sounds, slow snare beat] [Verse 1] They say he rode in on a pale sorrel mare With a scar on his jaw and a cold empty stare From San Jacinto, where the Rio runs red And every man there sleeps light in his bed [Verse 2] He walked in the saloon and the silence grew tight Tipped his hat low, said, “I ain’t here to fight” But the man at the table in the black gambler’s coat Went pale as a ghost and clutched at his throat [Chorus] 'Cause the man from San Jacinto don’t forget a name He don't care for money, he don't play no game He's a ghost in the saddle, with fire in his soul If he rides for your name, he don’t stop 'til it’s told [Verse 3] Twelve years had passed since that night on the ridge When they hung his brother from the old broken bridge The law turned their heads, said the kid had it comin’ But the man from San Jacinto just kept on runnin’ [Bridge] Now the gambler stood, but his knees wouldn't hold And the room seemed to freeze in the whisky and smoke The stranger just smiled, pulled his coat back slow And the dust from his boots was the last thing to show [Final Chorus] 'Cause the man from San Jacinto don’t carry regret Just names on a list and a long cigarette He’s a shadow at sundown, a whisper at most And if he’s behind you… you’re already a ghost [Outro] [Guitar fades out, desert wind returns, distant coyote howl]