Born Clarence Albert Poindexter, in the 1930s, he owned a bar and helped to popularize the style of country music known as honky tonk. Other hits from the 1940s include "So Long Pal", "Triflin' Gal", "Guitar Polka" and "I'm Losing My Mind".
He was the first country singer to perform on Broadway.
In 1971, Al Dexter was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame.
Pistol Packin Mama
Al Dexter Lyrics
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Until one night she caught me right
and now I'm on the run.
Ref:
Lay that pistol down, babe - lay that pistol down
Pistol Packin' Mama, lay that pistol down.
She kicked out my windshield - she hit me over the head
She cussed and cried and said I'd lied
Ref:
Drinking beer in a cabaret and dancin' with a blond
Until one night she shot out the light - Bang!
that blond was gone.
Ref:
I'll see you ev'ry night, babe - I'll woo you ev'ry day
I'll be your regular daddy - if you'll put that gun away.
Ref:
Now I went home this morning - the clock was tickin' four
Gun in her hand, says "You're my man, but I don't need you no more."
Ref:
Now there was old Al Dexter - he always had his fun
But with some lead, she shot him dead - his honkin' days are done.
Ref:
The lyrics to Al Dexter's song "Pistol Packin Mama" narrate the story of a man drinking and having fun in a cabaret until a woman caught him, and now he is on the run from her. The chorus then says, "Lay that pistol down, babe," pleading with her to put down her weapon. The woman had kicked out his windshield, hit him on the head, cursed and cried, calling him a liar and wishing he was dead. The second verse talks about the man dancing with a blonde when the woman shot out the light, and the blonde was gone. The chorus repeats, urging her to lay down her gun.
Line by Line Meaning
Drinking beer in a cabaret and was I having fun
I was enjoying myself at a bar while drinking beer
Until one night she caught me right and now I'm on the run.
One night, she caught me off guard and now I have to flee
Lay that pistol down, babe - lay that pistol down Pistol Packin' Mama, lay that pistol down.
Please put down your gun, Pistol Packin' Mama
She kicked out my windshield - she hit me over the head She cussed and cried and said I'd lied and wished that I was dead.
She vandalized my car and physically assaulted me while accusing me of lying, and even wished for my death
Drinking beer in a cabaret and dancin' with a blond Until one night she shot out the light - Bang! that blond was gone.
I was drinking and dancing with a blonde at a venue until she shot the light above us and the blonde disappeared
I'll see you ev'ry night, babe - I'll woo you ev'ry day I'll be your regular daddy - if you'll put that gun away.
I promise to see you often and shower you with affection if you stop carrying your gun
Now I went home this morning - the clock was tickin' four Gun in her hand, says "You're my man, but I don't need you no more."
I returned home early in the morning to find her holding a gun, telling me that I'm her man but she doesn't need me anymore
Now there was old Al Dexter - he always had his fun But with some lead, she shot him dead - his honkin' days are done.
Al Dexter, who used to have a good time, was fatally shot by her and can't have fun anymore
Lyrics ยฉ BMG Rights Management, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: AL DEXTER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@woodliffshow
Al Dexter was my grandfather's cousin. My mother's family is from East Texas. My grandparents had an original print of this record, given to them by Al Dexter personally. He was very proud of it and was taking copies to friends and family. He hand delivered it to my grandparents door. Back in the late 70s, my Uncle sat on the record and broke it in half. I understand that Al had signed it too; No telling what it would be worth today.
A bonus story:
My great grandmother couldn't stand Al because he had started out as a bootlegger. ๐ Ah, those old timers...
@les7422
What's it worth? I have this record! Rosalita (my little rose of the banjo) is on the other side.
@Digbygeste
One of the songs Dad sang to us growing up in the 50's. A real favorite for all the family.
@templeman4
What a dynamite version you've found here, Leannsidhe, my mother's favorite song of 1943. You've taken out the hiss and static, great work....this is the sweetest version of Al Dexter's hit song, "Pistol Packing Mama" that I've found in listening to this song on YouTube the last ten years. Thank you for cleaning up this wonderful classic.
@cmayer8997
Learned this song at a very young age while driving with my dad. Good memories.
@jglencarr5390
I remember I first heard this song on a compilation 8-track of country hits of the '40s.
And I used to play it when I had to take my grandmother somewhere because she sure couldn't stand the music that I listen to in the late '70s and early '80s. It really brings back memories I will always cherish now that I am the same age as my grandma was back then.
@TheGoatlady50
Can anyone figure out why Al Dexter isn't in the Country Music Hall of Fame? He owned the 1940s
@tb589
My uncle was the pilot of a B-17 bomber named Pistol Packin' Mama in WW II. (There were several other B-17's with that name. Very popular) He survived his 25 missions and was sent back to the states. The plane went down about three missions later, reportedly colliding with a German fighter. The ball turret gunner was killed but the other nine crew members survived and became POWs.
@sheldonkirschbaum6213
An absolute favorite of my dad.
@johnbevan4684
Can't go wrong with Al Dexter.