Most old towns of the west have their stories to tell

although some they would rather forget.
And in Willcox they say there came such a day

to the Greenhorn Bandidos’ regret.

 

Two young cowboys sat down in the Palace Saloon,

both dejected and sipping a brew,

for no work could be found at the ranches around

though they asked ev’ry rancher they knew.

 

 “Waal, I don’t know fer certain whut I’m gonna do,”

Doggett sipped on his a beer with a frown.

“I’ve done looked everywhere, but it’s quiet, I swear.

I’ve the emptiest pockets in town!”

 

“Thet’s shore sorry to hear, but now listen to this,”

Haley whispered so no one would hear. 

 “Jes’ last night I went down to the depot in town,

and I heard the best news in a year.

 

There’s a train comin’ through with some silver on board

on the Southern Pacific tonight,

and I got me a notion to cause some commotion

and to help myself jes’ out of spite!”

 

“Waal, thet’s risky fer shore,” Doggett grinned at the thought,

“but imagine the cash it’ll bring!”

“So now whut do ya say? Let’s go rob it today!”

You’ll be rich and can live like a king!”

 

The boys hid in the rocks by the turn in the tracks

and they thought of the money they’d spend.

Soon they heard puffs and squeals then the squeak of the wheels

as the train slowly chugged ‘round the bend.

 

​When the engine went by Haley jumped up on board;

Doggett hopped on the tender in back.

They were quick to subdue the old freight train and crew,

then they slowed to a halt on the track.

 

The express car they knew was connected behind,

and the guards were no place to be found.  

Doggett opened the door, and he saw on the floor

the safe right at the front chained and bound.

 

“Waal it looks mighty strong,” muttered Haley at once,

“so we’ll jes’ have to blow her fer shore!
Thet ol’ dynamite’s blast will shore open her fast

and make shreds of the safe’s iron door.”

 

They had gone into Willcox to buy their supplies
and some dynamite for the affair.
With their gear safely stowed they laid sticks from the load

right on top of the vault sitting there.

 

“Hey now, whut are these bags sittin’ by over here?”

Haley said as he reached for a sack.

“All these bags filled with sand will be perfectly grand

to hold down the loose dynamite stack! “

 

So they placed all the bags on the dynamite load

lit the fuse, ran and jumped out the door.

With a mighty “ka-boom!” the blast shattered the gloom

strewing cargo all over the floor!

 

 “Yee-haw! Whut a blast!” Haley cried at the sound,

“Now come on let’s go pick up our pay!

‘Cuz it’s right where she blew, waitin’ shiny and new

fer our horses to cart it away!

 

The boys cheered at the blast and they laughed at the thought

as they raced back to check on their haul.

Then they screeched to a halt, stopped and stared at the vault,

‘cuz the safe stood unharmed by it all!

“Oh, my gawsh whut is this? Haley cried with alarm.

I don’t see any silver about!”

“The durned safe stood the shock! The door’s solid as rock,

and it still holds the silver no doubt!”

 

​All they saw when they looked was the wreckage inside,

not a sign of their ill-gotten loot.

They both stared with chagrin - there was nothing within!

All the sacks had been scattered to boot!

 

What they thought had been bags full of sand on the floor

were all filled with pure silver instead.

Now the coins lay around over acres of ground

leaving Haley there, scratching his head.

 

 “Waal now dang!” Doggett swore in disgust at the scene,

“They were all bags of silver not sand!

Lady Luck has her ways, but today of all days,

she plumb dealt us a cold loser's hand!"

 

“Ah, come on,” Haley said, “let’s be hittin’ the trail

‘fore the posse and sheriff get here!

Let’s cover our tracks and ride home to our shacks

then we’ll drown all our sorrows in beer!”

 

“They were pesos from heaven!” the local folk cried

as they gathered them up through the night.

For the die had been cast when they ran to the blast

while the Greenhorn Bandidos took flight!