About the time that Daddy left to fight the big war

I saw my first pistol in the general store

In the general store, when I was thirteen



Thought it was the finest thing I ever had seen

So l asked if I could have one someday when I grew up

Mama dropped a dozen eggs, she really blew up

She really blew up and I didn't understand

Mama said the pistol is the devil's right hand



The devil's right hand, the devil's right hand

Mama said the pistol is the devil's right hand



My very first pistol was a cap and ball Colt

Shoot as fast as lightnin' but it loads a mite slow

Loads a mite slow and soon I found out

It can get you into trouble but it can't get you out

So then I went and bought myself a Colt 45

Called a peacemaker but I never knew why

Never knew why, I didn't understand

Cause Mama said the pistol is the devil's right hand



Well I get into a card game in a company town

Caught a miner cheating I shot the dog down

Shot the dog down, watched the man fall

Never touched his holster, never had a chance to draw

The trial was in the morning and they drug me out of bed

Asked me how I pleaded, not guilty I said

Not guilty I said, you've got the wrong man

Nothing touched the trigger but the devil's right hand