The Deadwood Stage
Doris Day Lyrics


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Oh, the Deadwood stage is a-rolling on over the plains
With the curtains flappin' and the driver a-snappin' the reins
A beautiful sky, a wonderful day
Whip-crack-away, whip-crack-away, whip-crack-away

Oh, the Deadwood stage is a-headin' on over the hills
Where the Injun arrows are thicker than porcupine quills
Dangerous land, no time to delay
So, whip-crack-away, whip-crack-away, whip-crack-away

We're headin' straight for town, loaded down with a fancy cargo
Care of Wells & Fargo, Illinois, boy

Oh, the Deadwood stage is a-comin' on over the crest
Like a homing-pigeon that's a-hankerin' after its nest
Twenty-three miles we've covered today
So, whip-crack-away, whip-crack-away, whip-crack-away

The wheels go turning round, homeward-bound
Can't you hear them hummin'
Happy times are comin' for to stay, hey

We'll be home tonight by the light of the silvery moon
And my heart's a-thumpin' like a mandolin a-plunkin' a tune
When I get home, I'm fixin' to stay
So, whip-crack-away, whip-crack-away, whip-crack-away
Whip-crack away, whip-crack-away, whip-crack-away

Introducing Henry Miller
Just as busy as a fizzy sasparilla
Ain't a showman any smarter operates the Golden Garter
When the cream of Deadwood City comes to dine
And I'm glad to say he's a very goof friend of mine
Hi Joe, say, where d'ya get them fancy clothes?
I know, off some fella's laundry line
Hi Beau, aren't you a prairie rose
Smellin' like a watermelon vine
Here's a man the sheriff watches
On his gun there's more than twenty-seven notches
On the draw there's no one faster and you're flirting with disaster
When Bill Hickok's reputation you malign
And I'm glad to say he's a very good friend of a friend of mine

Oh, my throat's as dry as a desert thistle in May
In the Golden Garter, gonna wet my whistle today
Last to the bar's a three-legged crow




Set 'em up Joe, set 'em up Joe, set 'em up Joe
Set 'em up Joe

Overall Meaning

The Deadwood Stage is a song performed by Doris Day for the 1953 movie musical, Calamity Jane. The song is an upbeat and lively tune that encapsulates the excitement and adventure of traveling on a stagecoach. The song's lyrics describe the journey of the Deadwood stagecoach as it travels through rough terrain, with the driver skillfully navigating through dangerous territory. The song also mentions the passengers on the stagecoach, who are carrying a fancy cargo, and are excited to return home after their journey.


The driving force behind the song is the steady rhythm of the whip-cracking sound that the driver makes to urge the horses on. The song has a catchy chorus that invites listeners to sing along and crack their imaginary whips. The imagery in the lyrics paints a vivid picture of the American West, including references to Native American tribes, cowboys, and saloons. Overall, the song is a celebration of adventure and the joy of travel.


Line by Line Meaning

Oh, the Deadwood stage is a-rolling on over the plains
The Deadwood stagecoach is moving across the prairie.


With the curtains flappin' and the driver a-snappin' the reins
The curtains on the stagecoach are flapping, and the driver is urging the horses on.


A beautiful sky, a wonderful day
The weather is lovely and ideal for traveling.


Whip-crack-away, whip-crack-away, whip-crack-away
The driver is cracking his whip to move the horses faster.


Oh, the Deadwood stage is a-headin' on over the hills
The stagecoach is moving over the mountains.


Where the Injun arrows are thicker than porcupine quills
The area is dangerous and prone to Indian attacks.


Dangerous land, no time to delay
It is crucial to keep moving through this dangerous terrain.


We're headin' straight for town, loaded down with a fancy cargo
The stagecoach is carrying valuable goods to town.


Care of Wells & Fargo, Illinois, boy
The goods belong to Wells & Fargo, from Illinois.


Oh, the Deadwood stage is a-comin' on over the crest
The stagecoach is approaching the top of a hill.


Like a homing-pigeon that's a-hankerin' after its nest
The stagecoach is eager to reach its destination.


Twenty-three miles we've covered today
The stagecoach has traveled a considerable distance today.


The wheels go turning round, homeward-bound
The wheels of the stagecoach are turning as it heads back home.


Can't you hear them hummin'
The wheels are making a low humming sound.


Happy times are comin' for to stay, hey
The singer is looking forward to happy times.


We'll be home tonight by the light of the silvery moon
The stagecoach should reach home by nightfall under the light of the moon.


And my heart's a-thumpin' like a mandolin a-plunkin' a tune
The artist's heart is beating fast with excitement.


When I get home, I'm fixin' to stay
The singer plans to stay home once they arrive.


Whip-crack-away, whip-crack-away, whip-crack-away
The driver is still urging the horses on with his whip.


Introducing Henry Miller
A new character named Henry Miller is being introduced.


Just as busy as a fizzy sasparilla
Henry Miller is very busy.


Ain't a showman any smarter operates the Golden Garter
Henry Miller runs the Golden Garter.


When the cream of Deadwood City comes to dine
The best people in town come to eat at the Golden Garter.


And I'm glad to say he's a very goof friend of mine
The artist is happy to be friends with Henry Miller.


Hi Joe, say, where d'ya get them fancy clothes?
The singer greets Joe and asks where he got his nice clothes.


I know, off some fella's laundry line
The singer jokes that Joe probably got his clothes off a laundry line.


Hi Beau, aren't you a prairie rose
The singer greets Beau and compliments her beauty.


Smellin' like a watermelon vine
Beau smells nice, like a watermelon.


Here's a man the sheriff watches
A new character is being introduced, who is being watched by the sheriff.


On his gun there's more than twenty-seven notches
The man is experienced with guns and has killed many people.


On the draw there's no one faster and you're flirting with disaster
He is very skilled with guns and it would be dangerous to challenge him.


When Bill Hickok's reputation you malign
The man is friends with Bill Hickok and would not tolerate anyone insulting him.


And I'm glad to say he's a very good friend of a friend of mine
The artist is friends with someone who is friends with this man.


Oh, my throat's as dry as a desert thistle in May
The artist's throat is very dry.


In the Golden Garter, gonna wet my whistle today
The singer plans to get a drink at the Golden Garter.


Last to the bar's a three-legged crow
The artist is racing to get a drink before someone else beats them to it.


Set 'em up Joe, set 'em up Joe, set 'em up Joe
The singer is urging Joe to pour them a drink.




Lyrics © Roba Music Verlag GMBH, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: PAUL FRANCIS WEBSTER, SAMMY FAIN

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@Catherine-yy5ut

To think - Doris' performance was panned when this film was first released. And now it's gone down as one of the greatest musical performances in history. This film is such a classic and has brought joy to so many. We miss you Doris!

@mercyjokes2d696

Agree completely with you, I found this gem when I was about 10 and got all my school friends singing along! One of the best musicals of the era.

@rickremco6275

@@mercyjokes2d696 I too, was 10 when I was taken to see this film in England. The memory has stayed with me ever since. The songs will immediately take me back to 1953.

@vanzofaust

I usually like Doris Day but I stopped watching this film shortly after this song. She seems to be doing a Betty Grable imitation and she was either miscast or had very poor direction. Her over-acting was unbearable. I am not surprised to read she was originally panned.

@darthattenborough1145

​@translator Dude I was born in 1996 and think this is absolutely amazing and she is amazing 👏

@akrenwinkle

@@darthattenborough1145 Except for the dude part, I agree!

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@sharellemazzone9839

No one even comes close, exceptional talent

@EditorOfSL

The bit at the end of this when she falls over and struggles to maintain her dignity just proves she was more than just a rom-com actress, she could do slapstick and silly stuff as well. Great actress with a great voice and genuine talent, she is sorely missed.

@FallaciousScotsman

That was a helluva fall too.

@alyssa1888

Glass Bottom Boat is one of favorites second to this one, she is definitely funny

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