(Ned Washington - Dimitri Tiomkin)

This is the story of two men
One, an ex-convict the other a man of honour
The exconvict vowed while in prison to kill the man of honour
"I can't be a coward", he says to his fair-haired beauty.

Do not forsake me, oh my darlin' on this our wedding day
Do not forsake me, oh my darlin' wait, wait along
I do not know what fate awaits me I only know I must be brave
And I must face a man who hates me or lie a coward, a craven coward
Or lie a coward in my grave.

Oh, to be torn 'twixt love and duty s'posin' I lose my fair-haired beauty
Look at that big hand move along nearin' High Noon
He made a vow while in state's prison vowed it would be my life or his'n
I'm not a afraid of death, but oh, what will I do if you leave me?

Do not forsake me, oh my darlin' you made that promise as a bride
Do not forsake me, oh my darlin'
Although you're grieving don't think of leaving
Now that I need you by my side...