G# C# G# Everyone considered him the coward of the county G# D#7 He never stood one single time to prove the county wrong G# C# G# His mama named him Tommy but folks just called him yellow G# D#7 G# Something always told me they were reading Tommy wrong G# C# G# He was only ten years old when his daddy died in prison G# D#7 I looked after Tommy cause he was my brotherʼs son G# C# G# I still recall the final words my brother said to Tommy G# D#7 G# Son my life is over but yours is just begun G# C# G# Promise me son not to do the things Iʼve done C# G# D#7 Walk away from trouble if you can G# C# G# Now it donʼt mean youʼre weak if you turn the other cheek G# C# D#7 I hope youʼre old enough to understand C# D#7 G# You donʼt have to fight to be a man G# C# G# Thereʼs someone for everyone and Tommyʼs love was Becky D#7 In her arms he didnʼt have to prove he was a man G# C# G# One day while he was working the Gatlin Boys came calling G# D#7 G# They took turns at Becky there were three of them G# C# G# Tommy opened up the door and saw his Becky crying D#7 The torn dress the shattered look was more than he could stand G# C# G# He reached above the fireplace and took down his daddyʼs picture G# D#7 G# As his tears fell on his daddyʼs face he heard these words again G# C# G# Promise me son not to do the things Iʼve done C# G# D#7 Walk away from trouble if you can G# C# G# Now it donʼt mean youʼre weak if you turn the other cheek G# C# D#7 I hope youʼre old enough to understand C# D#7 G# You donʼt have to fight to be a man G# C# G# The Gatlin boys just laughed at him when he walked into the barroom G# D#7 One of the got up and hit him halfway cross the floor G# C# G# Tommy turned around they said hey look ole Yellowʼs leaving G# D#7 But you coulda heard a pin drop when Tommy stopped G# and locked the door G# C# G# Twenty years of crawling was bottled up inside him G# D#7 He wasnʼt holding nothing back he let ʼem have it all G# C# G# When Tommy left the barroom not a Gatlin boy was standing G# D#7 G# He said this oneʼs for Becky as he watched the last one fall G# And I heard him say G# C# G# I promised you Dad not to do the things youʼve done C# G# D#7 Iʼll walk away from trouble if I can G# C# G# Now Please donʼt think Iʼm weak I couldnʼt turn the other cheek G# D#7 Papa I sure hope you understand C# D#7 G# Sometimes you gotta fight when youʼre a man G# C# G# Everyone considered him the coward of the county
