Standard (EADGBE)
'Bout the time my daddy left to fight the big war
I saw my first pistol in the general store
In the general store, I was thirteen
I thought it was the finest thing I ever had seen
Asked if I could have it someday when I grew up
Mama dropped a dozen eggs and really blew up
She really blew up, I didn't understand
Mama said the pistol is the devil's right hand
Chorus
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'd load a might slow.
Load a might slow. I soon found out it'll
Get you into trouble,but it can't get you out.
So then I went and bought myself a colt 45.
It was called a peace maker, but i never knew why.
Never knew why, I didn't understand.
Mama says the pistol is the devil's right hand.
Chorus
Well I got into a card game in a company town
Caught a miner cheatin' and I shot the dog down
I shot the dog down, I watched the man fall
Never touched his holster, never had a chance to draw
The trial was in the morning and they drug me outta bed
They asked me how i pleaded, not guilty I said
Not guilty I said, you got the wrong man
Nothin touched the trigger but the devils right hand