Lyrics The Devil's Right Hand - Steve Earle

About the time that Daddy left to fight the big war
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

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 says 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, I soon found out
It'll get you into trouble but it can't get you out

Then I went and bought a Colt .45
Called a Peacemaker but I never knew why
I never knew why, I didn't understand
Mama says the pistol is the devil's right hand

The devil's right hand, the devil's right hand
Mama says the pistol is the devil's right hand

I got into a card game in a company town
I caught a miner cheating, I shot the dog down
I 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 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 says the pistol is the devil's right hand

The devil's right hand, the devil's right hand
Mama says the pistol is the devil's right hand