Die Ballade vom Pfeifer [English translation]

I rode through San Alfredo, in the dim light of the day

Or maybe through el Paso, kinda lost track on the way

for forty days and forty nights I ride through barren land

And everywhere my photograph, and it says "Wanted man"

They said I was a dangerous one, roaming wild and free

a cowboy of few words, and that my six-gun, spoke for me

(WHISTLING)

Now i was born James Anderson, an old farmhand by trade

Of the whistle of my big red lips, every man was sore afraid

some people called me 'Jimmy', some people called me 'Dutch'

But in the West few men survive, if they know too much

wherever people heard my tune, they soon ran out of wood

and the undertaker would tip his hat, for business was good..

(WHISTLING)

When I arrived at Daisy Town, where they dig the iron ore

I saw the poster with my face, now had two zeroes more

And Doug the bounty Hunter sneered "you're a heavensent for me"

I whirled around, and flicked my lips, and my Six-gun spoke for me..

At night I shot up the saloon, of old Samuel McBoone

And the bald and drunk piano guy, would play my lonesome tune..

(WHISTLING)

With elbows on the counter, i watched the swinging doors

when a small fat man presented, running sweat from every pore

they call me 'Moe the Thinker', he whispered in my ear

his people skills and dufflecoat, clearly were top-tier

If you are short ten thousand bucks, I have a daring plan

I downed two shots of whiskey, and then I shook his hand..

(APRUPT WHISTLING)

Now I sit in county jail, my shoulder full of lead

maybe the thinkers plan was not quite as good as he said

He whispered "it's ten grand for you, if you knock on the sheriff's door

and tell him "Hi, I'm Jimmy" and you're the son of a whore

Now give me those ten grand, that you swore on your life

to any soul who'd bring you Jim lips, dead or alive

(WHISTLING)

I'm sittin' on my bronco, right where the gallows stand

his neck tied to a cattle rope that is in the sheriff's hand

when the judge has read the verdict loud, that will be my doom

the townfolk and coroner wait and whistle my old tune

the deputy, he stares me down, with a glimmer in his eyes

when you hear the shrewd director yell...

Cut !! Goddammit, that's the third time now for the damn rope to break,

and I'm all out of 35mm film, ladies, that's it for today,

we're gonna shoot the hanging scene tomorrow.

It's a wrap..

• Artist:Reinhard Mey
• Album:Aus meinem Tagebuch