[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 I 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 The devil's right hand 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 lightning 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] 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 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 [Chorus][x2] [Outro] My Mama said,"The pistol Is the devil's right hand"