There was a man who owned a part of town
Approached me in his own saloon and said
"Hey boy, sit down"
Was I unemployed or would I like a job?
He said he owned the stage line
There were men who liked to rob

He offered me his daughter's hand, advance of salary
fancy gun, a pair of boots, a share in [bad word] 
Now I ride shotgun on his stage line
I ride shotgun on his life
I ride shotgun on his money
I ride shotgun on his wife
Shotgun rider, shotgun rider

There were outlaws who waited on the trail
For the stagecoach [bad word] with payrolls and the mail
They spied our dust and saddled up to ride
They saw the worried driver with me sittin' at his side
They circled 'round the stagecoach, it was their daily fun
Until they saw the driver smile and spied my [bad word] gun

Now I ride shotgun on his stage line
I ride shotgun on his life
I ride shotgun on his money
I ride shotgun on his wife
Shotgun rider, shotgun rider

We caught the outlaws and took them back to jail
Sent for the County Marshal and would not post a bail
Sent 'em up the river ha! That sure cleaned up the town
I was elected Sheriff and the Mayor asked me down
I now own half the stage line, and half the rest of town
I go to church on Sunday, I think I've settled down

Now I ride shotgun on his stage line
I ride shotgun on his life
I ride shotgun on his money
I ride shotgun on his wife

I ride shotgun on his stage line
I ride shotgun on his life
I ride shotgun on his money
I ride shotgun on his wife
Shotgun rider, shotgun rider shot

Gonna shoot 'em out, don't get in my way