I came down from Alamosa, across the Rio Grande
To track a killer lion, who'd lost his fear of man
First seen around El Rito, he laid a rancher down
Killed the ranchers daughter, was gone without a sound
And the purple sage and caprock is never out of bounds
When you chase the mighty lion behind slobber headed hounds
Not much trace of man out here, but painted canyon walls
The ancient pagan hunters, showed the chase and fall
Now the lever action rifle, and horses changed the game
But their ghosts still hunt beside me
The chase still feels the same
And the purple sage and caprock is never out of bounds
When you chase the mighty lion behind slobber headed hounds
Now the hounds my father left me, are ranging out of sight
I stand up in my saddle, in the early morning light
I can see the good gyp circle, I know it wont be long
Till the canyon rings her striking cry, the lion will be found
And the purple sage and caprock is never out of bounds
When you chase the mighty lion behind slobber headed hounds
Now he finds a lonely juniper, to make his final stand
Three faithful hounds lie dying, blood shining on the sand
And the good gyp leaps up in the air to slow his murder charge
My rifle cracks a whisper late, I can feel his iron jaw
And the purple sage and caprock is never out of bounds
When you chase the mighty lion behind slobber headed hounds
Now the eagle sees us falling, the hunter and the prey
His shadow crosses lifeless bodies, where side by side we lay
And the good gyp sits up on the rim, and all alone she cries
A death song for her master, who killed the mighty lion
And the purple sage and caprock is never out of bounds
When you chase the mighty lion behind slobber headed hounds
Ya the purple sage and caprock is never out of bounds
When you chase the mighty lion behind slobber headed hounds
