The Devil's Right Hand

'Bout the time that daddy left to fight the big war I saw my first pistol in a general store In a general store, when I was 13 Thought it was the finest thing I ever had seen Asked if I could have one someday, when I grew up Mama dropped a dozen eggs, she really blew up She really blew up, 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 she loads a mite slow Loads a mite slow as I soon 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" The devil's right hand, the devil's right hand 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" 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 My trial was in the morning, and they dragged 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 The devil's right hand, the devil's right hand Mama said, "The pistol is the devil's right hand" The devil's right hand, the devil's right hand Nothing touched the trigger but the devil's right hand My mama said, "The pistol is the devil's right hand"