Ballad of Davy Crockett

About Ballad of Davy Crockett

"The Ballad of Davy Crockett" is a song with music by George Bruns and lyrics by Thomas W. Blackburn. It was introduced on ABC's television series Disneyland, in the premiere episode of October 27, 1954. Fess Parker is shown performing the song on a log cabin set in frontiersman clothes, accompanied by similarly attired musicians. The song would later be heard throughout the Disneyland television miniseries Davy Crockett, first telecast on December 15, 1954. This version was sung by The Wellingtons. Parker played the role of Davy Crockett in the miniseries and continued in four other episodes made by Walt Disney Studios. Buddy Ebsen co-starred as George "Georgie" Russel, and Jeff York played legendary boatman Mike Fink. Archie Bleyer, the president of Cadence Records, heard the song on the ABC telecast (December 15, 1954) and called Bill Hayes that night to gauge his interest in recording it. The next day, Hayes (vocals), Al Caiola (guitar), and Art Ryerson (guitar) recorded it in one take at an RCA studio in Manhattan. Other versions by Fess Parker and Tennessee Ernie Ford (recorded on February 7, 1955) quickly followed. All three versions made the Billboard magazine charts in 1955: Hayes' version made #1 on the weekly chart (from March 26 through April 23) and #7 for the year, Parker's reached #6 on the weekly charts and #31 for the year, while Ford's peaked at #4 on the weekly country chart and #5 on the weekly pop chart and charted at #37 for the year. A fourth version, by bluegrass singer Mac Wiseman, reached #10 on the radio charts in May 1955. The song also reached #1 on the Cash Box charts, from March 26 through May 14, 1955. A contemporary version also exists by Western singing group the Sons of the Pioneers. Over ten million copies of the song were sold. more »

Year:

1991

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Born on a mountain in Tennessee
Greenest state in the land of the free
Raised in the woods so's he knew ev'ry tree
He kilt him a b'ar when he was only three
Davy, Davy Crockett, king of the wild frontier!

Fought single-handed through the Injun War
Till the Creeks was whipped an' peace was in store
An' while he was a-handlin' this risky chore
Made hisself a legend for evermore
Davy, Davy Crockett, the man who don't know fear!

When he lost his love, his grief was gall
In his heart he wanted to leave it all
An' lose hisself in the forests tall
But he answered instead his country's call
Davy, Davy Crockett, the choice of the whole frontier

He went off to Congress an' served a spell
Fixin' up the Government an' laws as well
Took over Washington so I've heared tell
An' patched up a crack in the Liberty Bell
Davy, Davy Crockett, seein' his duty clear!

When he come home, his politickin' done
Why, the big western march had just begun
So he packed his gear an' his trusty gun
An' lit out a-grinnin' to follow the sun
Davy, Davy Crockett, leadin' the pioneer!

His land is biggest, his land is best
From grassy plains to the mountain crest
He's ahead of us all and meetin' the test
And a-followin' his legend right into the West
Davy, Davy Crockett, the king of the wild frontier!
Davy, Davy Crockett, king of the wild frontier!

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Tennessee Ernie Ford

Ernest Jennings Ford (February 13, 1919 – October 17, 1991), better known as Tennessee Ernie Ford, was an American recording artist and television host who enjoyed success in the country and Western, pop, and gospel musical genres. Today, he is best remembered for his hit recording of "Sixteen Tons". more »

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