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" 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 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 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 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"