Best SONG involving guns

I's Partial to Shotgun Songs

I was on the road today and have listened to two CD's that had songs about shotguns. Sort of coincidenat that I ran across this thread

One song was: "White Wedding" by Bily Idol.

The other was my favorite gun related song. It is by a band called Southern Culture on the Skids. The name of the song is "Shotgun". Below is a link to their web site. You can scroll down to the "Plastic Seat Sweat" CD and click the MP3 to hear the first part of the song. Take a listen...

http://www.scots.com/band/discography/default.htm


Partial Lyrics:

Shotgun, Shotgun, Shotgun, Shotgun,your baby's got one.
Trouble, love trouble, love trouble, love that trouble.
Pump action mister Jackson, I was cocked and loaded.
Woke up in the morning, both my barrels smokin'.
Buckshot, salt rock, I'm climbing up a ladder.
Window sills and doctor bills, and she keeps gettin' fatter.
Your in trouble boy. You better run.
Here comes your woman with a SHOTGUN.

Marty Robbins has my favorites with Big Iron, and then El Paso City, El Paso, and others.

Big Iron

To the town of Agua Fria rode a stranger one fine day
Hardly spoke to folks around him didn't have too much to say
No one dared to ask his business no one dared to make a slip
for the stranger there among them had a big iron on his hip
Big iron on his hip

It was early in the morning when he rode into the town
He came riding from the south side slowly lookin' all around
He's an outlaw loose and running came the whisper from each lip
And he's here to do some business with the big iron on his hip
big iron on his hip

In this town there lived an outlaw by the name of Texas Red
Many men had tried to take him and that many men were dead
He was vicious and a killer though a youth of twenty four
And the notches on his pistol numbered one an nineteen more
One and nineteen more

Now the stranger started talking made it plain to folks around
Was an Arizona ranger wouldn't be too long in town
He came here to take an outlaw back alive or maybe dead
And he said it didn't matter he was after Texas Red
After Texas Red

Wasn't long before the story was relayed to Texas Red
But the outlaw didn't worry men that tried before were dead
Twenty men had tried to take him twenty men had made a slip
Twenty one would be the ranger with the big iron on his hip
Big iron on his hip

The morning passed so quickly it was time for them to meet
It was twenty past eleven when they walked out in the street
Folks were watching from the windows every-body held their breath
They knew this handsome ranger was about to meet his death
About to meet his death

There was forty feet between them when they stopped to make their play
And the swiftness of the ranger is still talked about today
Texas Red had not cleared leather fore a bullet fairly ripped
And the ranger's aim was deadly with the big iron on his hip
Big iron on his hip

It was over in a moment and the folks had gathered round
There before them lay the body of the outlaw on the ground
Oh he might have went on living but he made one fatal slip
When he tried to match the ranger with the big iron on his hip
Big iron on his hip

Look at this list of Marty Robbins Gunfighter songs:

http://www.cowboylyrics.com/lyrics/robbins-marty/big-iron-11880.html

Honorable mentions: "Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia", made popular by Reba McIntyre - "you see, little sister doesn't miss when she aims her gun". "Bubba Shot the Jukebox", made popular by Mark Chesnutt - "Bubba Shot the Jukebox, last night. He said it played a sad song, that made him cry. Went to his truck and got a .45". "Country Boy Can Survive" - "got a shotgun, a rifle, and a 4-wheel drive, and a country boy can survive."

How old is that cows with guns song, and can it be downloaded? It's clever - reminds me of the cow level on diablo II. I'd also never heard of the Roland song - what was the inspiration for those lyrics - I mean, what's the brief history of the Congo war?

I only heard it once but the ''shotgun boogie'' by JONNNY HORTON made me smile all the way home.If I knew which disc it was on I would have to order it just for that!

The Man who Shot Liberty Valance - Marty Robbins.

Hello?

I can't believe no one has mentioned American Guns by Transplants. You can hear it on their recently released album, Haunted Cities.

Here is a sample.

These are NOT the best songs involving gun lyrics, let alone my favorites. But most of the 'good' ones have been mentioned, so Im just adding in some extras for flavor, including one or two by some of my favorite artists (even one that I disagree with on this topic).
______

Pink Floyd: Dark Side of the Moon: Time

"Ticking away the moments that make up a dull day
You fritter and waste the hours in an offhand way
Kicking around on a piece of ground in your home town
Waiting for someone or something to show you the way

Tired of lying in the sunshine
Staying home to watch the rain
And you are young and life is long
And there is time to kill today
And then one day you find
Ten years have got behind you
No one told you when to run
You missed the starting gun"
________

Moody Blues: The View from the Hill: Blly

"Billy left home one morning,
He walked right out of the door,
He said goodbye to his former life
And he never came back no more.

Oh Billy... there's anger in your heart.
Oh Billy... there's madness in your eyes.

He took his favourite handgun,
With his rifle he felt free.
He cleaned them all the night before,
He was armed as he could be.

Oh Billy... there's anger in your heart.
Oh Billy... there's madness in your eyes.

'Cos it's a sad world when there's no-one
Who can reach out to the source of your pain.
Yes, it's a sad world, such a sad, sad world
When only peace comes at the end of a gun. "
______

Depeche Mode: Barrel of a Gun

Chorus: "Whatever I've done
I've been staring down the BARREL OF A GUN

Is there something you need from me?
Are you having your fun?
I never agreed to be
Your Holy One"
_______

Aerosmith: Janie's Got a Gun

"Dum, dum, dum, honey what have you done
Dum, dum, dum, it’s the sound of my gun
Dum, dum, dum, honey what have you done
Dum, dum, dum, it’s the sound, it’s the sound...
Nah, nah, nah, nah, nah, nah....

Janie’s got a gun
Janie’s got a gun
Her whole world’s come undone
From lookin’ straight at the sun
What did her daddy do
What did he put you through"
_______

Alice Cooper: Love's a Loaded Gun

And

I'm You're Gun (though for the latter, he probably wasn't singing about a real gun, and if I printed the lyrics here, some would be offended, so I'll refrain.

While I doubt anyone on this board besides myself has ever heard it, Leslie Fish's "The Weapon Shop of Isher" (yes, it's about the A.E. Van Vogt story) is a wonderful song about guns and rebellion.

I can't find the lyrics online and I'm too tired to dig out my CD right now.

"something something something, a bren gun, a good old cheap sten gun, a Remington flamer that's good for a mile ..."

Beer for my horses

Lynyrd Skynyrd Favorites:

Gimme Back My Bullets
Gimme Three Steps
Saturday Night Special

What, no votes for "Run, Joey Run"???


"...
He says he's gonna make you pay, for what we've done, he's got a gun, so

Run Joey Run Joey Run..."

joh cale - mercenaries

Hey PAX!!

You wouldn't have the words to 'The Ballad if Irving' (the 142nd fastest gun in the West) would you? Thought I was the only one remembered that song..

Well Irving finally caught 3 slugs in the belly
T'was right outside the new Texas deli.
He was standing there trwling his gun around
& butterfings Irving gunned himself down!

Here's one of my favorite trail songs:

My Rifle, My Pony and Me (from "Rio Bravo")

The sun is sinking in the west
The cattle go down to the stream
The redwing settles in the nest
It's time for a cowboy to dream

Purple light in the canyons
That's where I long to be
With my three good companions
Just my rifle, pony and me

Gonna hang my sombrero
On the limb on the limb of a tree
Coming home sweetheart darling
Just my rifle, pony and me
Just my rifle, my pony and me

Whippoorwill in the willow
Sings a sweet melody
Riding to Amarillo
Just my rifle, pony and me
No more cows to be roping
No more strays will I see
Round the bend she'll be waiting
For my rifle, pony and me
For my rifle, my pony and me

Shotgun

Shotgun
Jr. Walker and The All Stars

(Lyrics A.DeWalt)

(1)I said,Shotgun shoot em for he runs now
Do the jerk baby
Do the jerk now Hey!

Put on your red dress
And then you go downtown now
I said buy yourself a shotgun now
We're gonna break it down baby now
We're gonna load it up baby now
And then you shoot him for he runs now

repeat 2

Instrumental -sax

repeat 3

Put on your high heels shoes
I said we're goin' down here listen to em play blues
We're gonna dig potatoes
We're gonna pick tomatoes

repeat 4

I said it's Twine Time
I said it's Twine Time
I said it's Twine Time Hey!

I fought the law and the law won

sonny curtis (as sung by the Clash)

Breakin’ rocks in the hot sun
I fought the law and the law won (twice)
I needed money ’cause I had none
I fought the law and the law won (twice)

I left my baby and it feels so bad
Guess my race is run
She’s the best girl that I ever had
I fought the law and the law won
I fought the law and the

Robbin’ people with a six-gun
I fought the law and the law won (twice)
I lost my girl and I lost my fun
I fought the law and the law won (twice)

I left my baby and it feels so bad
Guess my race is run
She’s the best girl that I ever had
I fought the law and the law won
I fought the law and the

I fought the law and the law won (7 times)
I fought the law and the

1. Country Boy Can Survive - Hank Jr
2. Bubba Shot the Juke Box - Mark Chestnutt
3. The Night Santa Went Crazy - Weird Al
4. Ride of Paul Revere - Bestie Boys

Hank Williams,Jr-"Lawyers,Guns,and Money"

A few forgotten ones...

Well, I know there's a country song, with a line about sitting on porch with a single shot rifle and a one eyed dog, but I can't remember the title or artist.
Other mentions:

AC-DC - Big Gun
NAS - (Woke up this morning and ) Got yourself a gun
ZZ Top - Gun Love (a little spicy in the lyrics)
Ice Cube - Today was a good day (Didn't even have to use my AK)
Elton John - My Father's Gun (yes, Elton John!)
"As soon as this is over we'll go home
To plant the seeds of justice in our bones
To watch the children growing and see the women sewing
There'll be laughter when the bells of freedom ring"
I really like Roland the Headless Thompson Gunner, I know it's been mentioned, but it's been a favorite.

Earthworm ~

Here it is. (I highlighted my favorite line. )

The Ballad of Irving
by Frank Gallop

He was short and fat, and rode out of the West
With a Mogen David on his silver vest.
He was mean and nasty right clear through,
Which was kinda weird, 'cause he was yellow too.

They called him Irving.
Big Irving.
Big, short Irving.
Big, short, fat Irving.
The hundred and forty-second fastest gun in the West.

He came from the old Bar Mitzvah spread,
With a 10-gallon yarmulke on his head.
He always followed his mother's wishes,
Even on the range he used two sets of dishes.

Irving.
Big, fat Irving.
Big sissy Irving.
The hundred and forty-second fastest gun in the West.

A hundred and forty-one could draw faster than he,
But Irving was looking for one forty-three.
Walked into Sol's Saloon like a man insane,
And ordered three fingers of two cents plain.

Irving.
Big, fat Irving.
Big sport Irving.
The hundred and forty-second fastest gun in the West.

One day Bad Max happened into town.
His aim was to shoot fat Irving down.
Bad Max said, "Draw, and draw right now!"
And Irving drew, drew a picture of a cow.

Irving.
Big, fat Irving.
Big gunfighter Irving.
The hundred and forty-second fastest gun in the West.

The James Boys was comin' on a train at first sun,
And the town said, "Irving, we need your gun."
When that train pulled in at the break of dawn,
Irving's gun was there, but Irving was gone.

Irving.
Big, fat Irving.
Big help, Irving.
The hundred and forty-second fastest gun in the West.

Well, finally Irving got three slugs in the belly.
It was right outside the Frontier Deli.
He was sittin' there twirlin' his gun around,
And butterfingers Irving gunned himself down!

Irving.
Big, fat Irving.
Big dum-dum Irving.
Big dum-dum dead Irving.
The hundred and forty-second fastest gun in the West.
Really.

Click to expand...

pax

I know there's a country song, with a line about sitting on porch with a single shot rifle and a one eyed dog, but I can't remember the title or artist.

Click to expand...

"Louisiana Saturday Night", sang by Mel McDaniel.

http://www.letssingit.com/?/mel-mcdaniel-louisiana-saturday-night-j1xdmql.html

Bounty Hunter - Molly Hatchet

My horse is kicking dust up off the trail,
I’m just getting back from a trip to hell.
My six gun she’s stapped by my side,
Thunder is the horse that I ride.
And it seems to me this is one hell of a way,
For a man like me to earn that pay.

Chorus:
Outlaws on the loose.
Running, running from the noose.

Blue steel flashing, hot lead flying,
I wonder what they feel like when they’re dying.
Someday soon it might be my turn,
Is it worth the money I earn?
And it seems to me this is one hell of a way,
For a man like me to earn that pay.

Chorus:
Outlaws on the loose,
Running, running from the noose.
I’m a bounty hunter, I’ll hunt you down, yeah, I will.

Did you know $500 will get your head blown off?
It will....ha, ha, ha............

"The Devil's Right Hand"

How about this forgotten gem?

He may be a hippy but this is one of my favorite songs.

Willie Nelson / Tougher Than Leather
Year: 1983

He was tougher than leather and he didn't care whether the sun shined or not When a young kid in Cow Town wanted a showdown He was careless or just maybe forgot But he died in the gunfight blinded by sunlight never draw when you're facin' the sun And old tougher than leather just carved one more notch on his gun

And when he turned to go the beautiful maiden knelt down Where her dead sweetheart lay And on his breast placed a rose while the townspeople stared in dismay And old tougher than leather should've known better But he picked up the rose in his hand And the townspeople froze when his hands crushed the rose And the rose petals fell in the sand

And old tougher than leather was a full-time go-getter The grass never grew beneath his feet From one town to another he would ride like the wind But his mind kept going back to the street Where a young cowboy died and a young maiden cried And rose petals fell in the sand And his heart had been softened by the beautiful maid And he knew he must see her again

Well he went back to the town where it all had come down And he searched but his search was in vain He had wanted to find her and say he was sorry For causing her heart so much pain But one night he died from a poison inside Brought on by the wrong he had done And old tougher than leather had carved his last notch on his gun

Well he was burried in Cow Town along about sundown Lookin' good in his new store-bought clothes When the young maiden came over and knelt down beside him And on his lapel placed a rose There's a bird in the sky flying high flying high To a place from a place changing skies changing skies[ guitar ]


give it a listen, the lyrics alone do not do it real justice.
DarthBubba