He rode up on a winter day Steam risin’ off a streak face bay Said you probably know my name If you don’t it’s Arkansas Dave
He talked of fifteen years ago And how he got the bay he rode He said he killed a man in Ohio First man he killed first horse he stole
It was a long road for Arkansas Dave He shot and left him where he laid He said he’d never forget that winter day He rode off on a streak faced bay
I stood up and I shook his hand Told no one that I knew this man Started makin’ up a plan Bout how I’d deal him his last hand Didn’t take him long to come unwound He jumped up and gunned two men down Ran outside to leave the town But ole’ bay was nowhere to be found
I head out with my forty four And when he walked back through the door I shot till I could shoot no more And Dave Rudabough fell to the floor
It was the end of the road for Arkansas Dave I shot and left him where he laid I’ll never forget that winter day I rode off on a streak faced bay No I’ll never forget that winter day When I rode home on Daddy’s streak face bay