Steve Earle — The Devil’s Right Hand

[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 [Verse 2] 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, 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 3] My very first pistol was a cap and ball Colt Shoot as fast as lightning but she 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 [Verse 4] 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] The devil's right hand The devil's right hand 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" [Guitar Solo] 1:38 - 1:53 [Verse 5] Well I got into a card game in a company town Caught a miner cheatin' I shot the dog down Shot the dog down I watched the man fall Never touched his holster Never had a chance to draw [Verse 6] My 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] The devil's right hand The devil's right hand Mama said, "The pistol is the devil's right hand" [Outro] The devil's right hand The devil's right hand Nothin' touched the trigger But the devil's right hand My Mama said, "The pistol is the devil's right hand"