Marty Robbins - Ballad Of A Small Man (Under Western Skies Disc 4)
He was a small man but this man was all man
He was accustomed to danger
He knew the badlands, he knew every bad man
This man was a ranger, ranger, ranger
Into the township of Pecos he rode
Everyone noticed this stranger
Plainly it showed in the way that he rode in
This man was a ranger, ranger, ranger
Everyone watched as he climbed from his horse and walked by
Every eye dropped to the gun hanging low on his side
The silence was broken, the ranger had spoken
And these were his words
I've trailed an outlaw for thirty-six days
I'm twenty hours behind him
He's here in town so I'll just be around
Long as it takes me to find him, find him, find him
Slowly he turned and he looked down the street
Then he looked back to the crowd
Somethin' about him left no room to doubt
He spoke very little but loud, but loud, but loud
If it is pity you have for my size
Save it don't waste it, my friend
This equalizer I have on my hip
Makes me as big as the next man, next man, next man
Then from a door came a curse and they knew at a glance
The outlaw had stepped to the street to begin his advance
Women grabbed children, men grabbed their wives
And thay ran from the street
Even the soft, gentle breeze became still
Death had a minute to wait
Two hands would dive for a Colt forty-five
One hand would come up too late, too late, too late
"Go for your gun", was the outlaw's remark
"Tomorrow you'll sleep neath the stone."
The ranger replied, "There'll be plenty of time
After you go for your own, your own, your own."
All of a sudden it happened
Both of then grabbed for a gun
Both clearing leather, both fired together
Everyone thought it was one gun, one gun, one gun
A forty-five slug hit the outlaw and spun him around
His life was over, he died on his way to the ground
To our surprise we watched as the ranger
Took one faltering step
Slowly he crumbled and fell to the ground
A bullet was deep in his side
He looked all around but he spoke not a word
A faint little smile and he died, he died, he died
He was a small man but this man was all man
He was accustomed to danger
He knew the badlands, he knew every bad man
This man was a ranger, ranger, ranger
Marty Robbins Sings 'Small Man.' (04:15)
Marty Robbins is usually regarded around the world as THE singer of western songs due to him having
the brainwave to release an album of 'Gunfighter Ballads And Trail Songs' way back in 1959. That
style of music became Marty's own due to the quality of the songs and the superb way he put them
across. This is a relatively seldom heard song called 'Small Man' and Marty also wrote a paperback
western novel with the same title. Marty himself, was a relatively short man, but everytime he
stepped ...
Thanks Tarquin, so was he saying it was all a dream?
Autor: Lsbud
4
The song writer, Hank Hanewinkel, Sr., was my brother. This song was a tribute to his wife, Barb. Hank died in 2002 but his song will live forever thanks to Marty!
Autor: roostercorner
5
Hello everyone! My father, Hank Hanewinkel Sr., wrote the lyrics to this song. He wrote it about his, and my mom's, wedding. He became acquainted with Marty in the '60s and pitched this song to him. His manager said that he didn't usually take songs from outside writers, but loved this one and wanted to do it. It was on the "My Woman, My Woman, My Wife" LP, the "Johnny Cash & Friends" LP, and Time Life's Marty Robbins Gospel collection. Thank you all, so much, for the kind words.
Autor: thelongninthwave
6
Looking initunes for this track,no luck so far! Brilliant! Thanks
Autor: reddirtgirl55
7
Thanks for the interesting information about the song Hank. Marty rarely recorded antything that was not written by himself or his affiliated writers as you say, but it must have been a great moment for your father to have the song accepted by him. I think it's a lovely song.