Written by Steve Earle
E About the time that Daddy left to fight the big war B I saw my first pistol in the general store In the general store, when I was thirteen E Thought it was the finest thing I ever had seen I 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 handMy very first pistol was a cap and ball Colt Shoot as fast as lightin' but it loads a mite slow Loads a mite slow and soon I found out It 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 Repeat Chorus Twice / Verse Break / Modulate to F# 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 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 Repeat Chorus Twice - but end second with "nothing touched the trigger... Mama said the pistol is the devil's right handA E The devil's right hand, the devil's right hand B E Mama said the pistol is the devil's right hand