[Verso 1]
 
A                        E7 
The day he was born they heard his granny say, 
       E                               A 
"We'll name him John Wesley cause he's gonna preach some day" 
                                E7 
I'm glad the lady did't live to see her hopes defiled. 
     E                                               A 
He removed men from temptation, but he done it Texas style. 


[Refrão]
 
A                                    E7 
Don't make it fifty-four John, don't make it fifly-four, 
E                            A 
Don't turn around, keep your back to the door. 
                           E7 
You come to El Paso for to practice at the law, 
          E                                          A 
You could leave but for God's sake John Wesley don't draw. 


[Verso 2]
 
A                                E7 
He was a tender hearted kid, but easy to get led, 
    E                            A 
The times he grew up in are what drove him to the bad. 
                                          E7 
He may have seen more death beds than are on some preacher's rolls. 
       E                                             A 
By the time he was thirty he'd launched thirty-seven souls. 


[Verso 3]
 
A                           E7 
He sure had a method but he was no Methodist, 
  E                           A 
A double action six gun and a double jointed wrist. 
                            E7 
That famous John Wesley the Church man true and brave, 
        E                                              A 
If he'd heard about his namesake he'd turn over in his grave. 


[Refrão]
 
A                                    E7 
Don't make it fifty-four John, don't make it fifly-four, 
E                            A 
Don't turn around, keep your back to the door. 
                           E7 
You come to El Paso for to practice at the law, 
          E                                          A 
You could leave but for God's sake John Wesley don't draw. 


[Verso 4]
 
A                               E7 
Remember Huntsville Prison John many years ago, 
      E                                   A 
How a guard dragged you out one night and beat you in the snow, 
                                         E7 
Your revenge has brought you nothing but heartache and shame, 
      E                                        A 
Don't make it fifty-four or you'll have to run again. 


[Verso 5]
 
A                                  E7 
He did'nt draw and Selman shot him and as Harding fell, 
       E                             A 
He was smiling like an angel but his soul had gone, Oh Well! 
                                        E7 
Let's put it this way, I don't think he dwells amoung the blessed, 
                 E                                              A 
But if there's a gunman's Valhalla he's right up there with the best. 


[Refrão]
 
A                                    E7 
Don't make it fifty-four John, don't make it fifly-four, 
E                            A 
Don't turn around, keep your back to the door. 
                           E7 
You come to El Paso for to practice at the law, 
          E                                          A 
You could leave but for God's sake John Wesley don't draw.