What a Pity

Out in Franklin County
Not too far from here
Two men loved one woman
And the price they paid was dear
She said, "I'd like to marry
But I'm not sure which one
I guess I'll play it out
Until the setting sun"
One man stood before her
His hands trembling and cold
He said, "I'd like to take you for my bride
To have and to hold"
She said, "But you must understand
I'm not sure who I love
It might be you and it might be him
That I am dreaming of"
Sometimes in love
We play a deadly game
I hear the angels up above
Say, "What a pity, what a shame"
Her mother tried to tell her
"You court disaster down the line
Play one man against the other
And you're no daughter of mine"
"Mother, don't be so serious
Broken hearts can always mend
I will soon make up my mind
And besides, they're the best of friends"
Meanwhile as she spoke these words
One was taking out his knife
And in a fit of jealous rage
He took his best friend's life
She ran down to where he lay dying
He was cradled in her arms
All that she could think to say was
"I never meant to do you harm"
The trial was a sad sad thing
All the judge could say -
"I sent one man to prison
But the real killer got away"