The Devil'S Right Hand

'Bout the time that daddy left to fight the big war
I saw my first pistol in a general store
In a general store, when I was 13
Thought it was the finest thing I ever had seen

Asked if I could have one someday, when I grew up
Mama dropped a dozen eggs, she really blew up
She really blew up, 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 she loads a mite slow
Loads a mite slow as I soon 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
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"
The devil's right hand, the devil's right hand
Mama said, "The pistol is the devil's right hand"

Well, I got into a card game, in a company town
Caught a miner cheating, I shot the dog down
Shot the dog down, I watched the man fall
Never touched his holster, never had a chance to draw

My trial was in the morning, and they dragged 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

The devil's right hand, the devil's right hand
Mama said, "The pistol is the devil's right hand"
The devil's right hand, the devil's right hand
Nothing touched the trigger but the devil's right hand

My mama said, "The pistol is the devil's right hand"