[Verse 1:]
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
L asked if I could have one someday when I grew up
Mama dropped a dozen eggs, she really blew up
Really blew up, I didn't understand
Mama said, "The pistol is the devil's right hand"

[Chorus:]
The devil's right hand[x2]
Mama said, "The pistol
Is the devil's right hand"

[Verse 2:]
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
Mama said, "The pistol is the devil's right hand"

[Chorus][x2]

[Verse 3:]
Well I get 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 [?] 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

[Chorus][x2]

[Outro:]
My Mama said, "The pistol
Is the devil's right hand"