We'd worked ourselves senseless
Been bustin' down fences
Drivin' dry cattle, no water in sight
As we sat 'round the fire
And cursed the barbed wire
A stranger broke into our light

Not knowin' no better
Some fool went for leather
But a whispered "I wouldn't"
Put an end to the fight
Then he said, "I'm for hire.
"You need a rider.
"And I don't mind ridin' at night."

[Chorus]
Go light on the Night Hawk
He don't smile, he don't talk
To strangers, and seldom to friends
And you'll do well to listen
When he asks you to leave him alone
He won't ask you again

Though the man is a myst'ry
The story is hist'ry
How a range fire came
Like a thief in the night
Took his young wife and babies
His would-bes and maybes
And burned out the love in his life

[Chorus]
Go light on the Night Hawk
He don't smile, he don't talk
To strangers, and seldom to friends
And you'll do well to listen
When he asks you to leave him alone
He won't ask you again