This is the story of two men One, an ex-convict The other, a man of honour The ex-convict vowed while in prison To kill the man of honour "I can't be a coward" He says to his fair-haired beauty Do not forsake me, oh my Darlin' On this our wedding day Do not forsake me, oh my Darlin' Wait, wait along I do not know what fate awaits me I only know I must be brave And I must face a man who hates me Or lie a coward, a craven coward Or lie a coward in my grave Oh, to be torn 'twixt love and duty S'posin' I lose my fair-haired beauty Look at that big hand move along Nearin' High Noon He made a vow while in state's prison Vowed it would be my life or his 'n I'm not a afraid of death, but oh What will I do if you leave me Do not forsake me, oh my Darlin' You made that promise as a bride Do not forsake me, oh my Darlin' Although you're grieving Don't think of leaving Now that I need you by my side