Footsteps So Near Lyrics - Tim O'brien

There's a tale they tell down in old Wolf County 

Of a murderous husband and his family of three 

One day a neighbor from over the hill 

He found them dead in the cabin it was so deathly still 

The killer he left a note and I know how it read 

I hope you don't find me I'd rather be dead 

Than to live in your jailhouse for the rest of my days 

Until a jury it hangs me for my wicked ways 

Chorus: 

Sometimes at night I wake to the sound 

Of the men in the distance and the baying of hounds 

Once on a full moon in the spring of the year 

I heard breaking branches and footsteps so near 

Well the posse it searched it was five days or more 

He hid in a cave by the steep river shore 

Til he gave himself up he started walking downtown 

Before he got to the courthouse a man shot him down 

He said I'm not sorry for what I have done 

But I cannot live like a man on the run 

I'm glad that you killed me you can dig me my grave 

It can't be much worse than that dark lonely cave 

Chorus