Death bells are ringing in Wichita town
Two brothers will meet when the sun's going down
Blood's thicker than water poor mother cry which son will live which son will die
Jimmy Laredo a man with a dream sent his young brother Johnny to old Abilene
To bring back his true love by name Katy Lee the girl he attended his bride to be
The trip was along when they both came to know
That sometimes from friendship a sweet love would grow
He's bringing her back in a new weddin' gown
And there'll be a show down in Wichita town
Jimmy's not worried his six gun's tied down and no one outdraws him in Wichita town
But can he do it can he kill his kin blood's thicker than water his ma cries again
The stage made it stop at the Last Chance Saloon
The crowd all stepped back to give both brothers room
Young Johnny stepped down there was fear in his eyes
But for lover pity he'd gladly die
They still tell the story to this very day
How their ma jumped between them when Jim made it play
She cried out in anguish oh sons are you blind
If you must take a life oh Lord let it be mine
Death bells are ringing in Wichita town
They mourn for a mother whose son's shot her down
And there in the Wichita's street where she lay
Blood's thicker than water her smile seemed to say