(Steve Earle)



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