The Ballad of Davy Crockett
The Wellingtons Lyrics


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Born on a mountain top in Tennessee
Greenest state in the land of the free
Raised in the woods so he knew ev'ry tree
Kilt him a be 'are when he was only three
Davy, Davy Crockett, king of the wild frontier!

In eighteen thirteen the Creeks uprose
Addin' redskin arrows to the country's woes
Now, Injun fightin' is somethin' he knows,
So he shoulders his rifle an' off he goes
Davy, Davy Crockett, the man who don't know fear!

Off through the woods he's a marchin' along
Makin' up yarns an' a singin' a song
Itchin' fer fightin' an' rightin' a wrong
He's ringy as a be 'are an' twict as strong
Davy, Davy Crockett, the buckskin buccaneer!

Andy Jackson is our gen'ral's name
His reg'lar soldiers we'll put to shame
Them redskin varmints us Volunteers'll tame
'cause we got the guns with the sure-fire aim
Davy, Davy Crockett, the champion of us all!~

Headed back to war from the ol' home place
But Red Stick was leadin' a merry chase
Fightin' an' burnin' at a devil's pace
South to the swamps on the Florida Trace
Davy, Davy Crockett, trackin' the redskins down!

Fought single-handed through the Injun War
Till the Creeks was whipped an' peace was in store
An' while he was handlin' this risky chore
Made hisself a legend for evermore
Davy, Davy Crockett, king of the wild frontier!

He give his word an' he give his hand
That his Injun friends could keep their land
An' the rest of his life he took the stand
That justice was due every redskin band
Davy, Davy Crockett, holdin' his promise dear!

Home fer the winter with his family
Happy as squirrels in the ol' gum tree
Bein' the father he wanted to be
Close to his boys as the pod an' the pea
Davy, Davy Crockett, holdin' his young'uns dear!

But the ice went out an' the warm winds came
An' the meltin' snow showed tracks of game
An' the flowers of Spring filled the woods with flame
An' all of a sudden life got too tame
Davy, Davy Crockett, headin' on West again!

Off through the woods we're ridin' along
Makin' up yarns an' singin' a song
He's ringy as a be 'are an' twict as strong
An' knows he's right 'cause he ain' often wrong
Davy, Davy Crockett, the man who don't know fear!

Lookin' fer a place where the air smells clean
Where the trees is tall an' the grass is green
Where the fish is fat in an untouched stream
An' the teemin' woods is a hunter's dream
Davy, Davy Crockett, lookin' fer Paradise!

Now he's lost his love an' his grief was gall
In his heart he wanted to leave it all
An' lose himself in the forests tall
But he answered instead his country's call
Davy, Davy Crockett, beginnin' his campaign!

Needin' his help they didn't vote blind
They put in Davy 'cause he was their kind
Sent up to Nashville the best they could find
A fightin' spirit an' a thinkin' mind
Davy, Davy Crockett, choice of the whole frontier!

The votes were counted an' he won hands down
So they sent him off to Washin'ton town
With his best dress suit still his buckskins brown
A livin' legend of growin' renown
Davy, Davy Crockett, the Canebrake Congressman!

He went off to Congress an' served a spell
Fixin' up the Govern'ments an' laws as well
Took over Washin'ton so we heered tell
An' patched up the crack in the Liberty Bell
Davy, Davy Crockett, seein' his duty clear!

Him an' his jokes travelled all through the land
An' his speeches made him friends to beat the band
His politickin' was their favorite brand
An' everyone wanted to shake his hand
Davy, Davy Crockett, helpin' his legend grow!

He knew when he spoke he sounded the knell
Of his hopes for White House an' fame as well
But he spoke out strong so hist'ry books tell
An' patched up the crack in the Liberty Bell
Davy, Davy Crockett, seein' his duty clear!

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

He heard of Houston an' Austin so
To the Texas plains he jest had to go
Where freedom was fightin' another foe
An' they needed him at the Alamo
Davy, Davy Crockett, the man who don't know fear!

His land is biggest an' his land is best
From grassy plains to the mountain crest
He's ahead of us all meetin' the test




Followin' his legend into the West
Davy, Davy Crockett, king of the wild frontier!

Overall Meaning

"The Ballad of Davy Crockett" is a song that tells the story of Davy Crockett, a 19th century frontiersman and politician. The lyrics begin by describing Crockett's origins, born and raised in Tennessee, where he learned to navigate the wilderness from an early age. The song goes on to detail his bravery in fighting Native American tribes like the Creek and his commitment to justice, including allowing indigenous peoples to keep their land. Crockett's legend grows throughout the song, as he becomes a hero of the West, a member of Congress, and ultimately heads to Texas to fight at the Alamo.


The lyrics paint a picture of an archetypal American hero, someone who is deeply connected to the land, skilled in battle, and dedicated to his principles. The song acts as a tribute to the figure of Davy Crockett, but also to the broader idea of the American pioneer who conquered the frontier.


Line by Line Meaning

Born on a mountain top in Tennessee
He was born high up in the mountains of Tennessee.


Greenest state in the land of the free
Tennessee is known for its lush landscapes, making it the greenery-rich part of America.


Raised in the woods so he knew ev'ry tree
He grew up surrounded by nature, becoming familiar with all its trees.


Kilt him a be 'are when he was only three
He famously hunted a bear at the young age of three, showcasing his early prowess.


Davy, Davy Crockett, king of the wild frontier!
Davy Crockett is celebrated as the sovereign figure of the untamed wilderness.


In eighteen thirteen the Creeks uprose
In the year 1813, the Creek Nation rose in rebellion.


Addin' redskin arrows to the country's woes
The conflict contributed to the troubles faced by the nation, including Native American resistance.


Now, Injun fightin' is somethin' he knows,
He is experienced in battles against Native Americans.


So he shoulders his rifle an' off he goes
He prepares for battle by taking up his rifle and leaving to fight.


Davy, Davy Crockett, the man who don't know fear!
Davy Crockett is recognized as an individual who is fearless in the face of danger.


Off through the woods he's a marchin' along
As he travels through the forest, he moves with purpose.


Makin' up yarns an' a singin' a song
He tells stories and sings as he journeys, keeping his spirits high.


Itchin' fer fightin' an' rightin' a wrong
He feels eager and restless, driven by a desire to fight for justice.


He's ringy as a be 'are an' twict as strong
He is as lively as a bear and possesses double its strength.


Davy, Davy Crockett, the buckskin buccaneer!
Davy Crockett is portrayed as a rugged and adventurous figure of the wilderness.


Andy Jackson is our gen'ral's name
The general leading the troops is Andrew Jackson.


His reg'lar soldiers we'll put to shame
The local volunteers are confident they will outshine the regular army.


Them redskin varmints us Volunteers'll tame
The volunteers believe they can subdue the Native American adversaries.


'cause we got the guns with the sure-fire aim
They boast that their accurate weapons will ensure their success.


Davy, Davy Crockett, the champion of us all!
Davy Crockett is regarded as the hero representing everyone.


Headed back to war from the ol' home place
He returns to conflict after spending time at home.


But Red Stick was leadin' a merry chase
The antagonist, Red Stick, is leading a vigorous pursuit.


Fightin' an' burnin' at a devil's pace
The fighting and destruction are happening rapidly and energetically.


South to the swamps on the Florida Trace
They move towards the southern swamps, following paths in Florida.


Davy, Davy Crockett, trackin' the redskins down!
Davy Crockett is actively pursuing the Native American foes.


Fought single-handed through the Injun War
He bravely battled alone during the conflict against Native Americans.


Till the Creeks was whipped an' peace was in store
He continued fighting until the Creek Nation was defeated, paving the way for peace.


An' while he was handlin' this risky chore
During this dangerous task, he actively managed his duties.


Made hisself a legend for evermore
Through his deeds, he established a lasting legacy.


Davy, Davy Crockett, king of the wild frontier!
He remains the legendary figure of the untamed wilderness.


He give his word an' he give his hand
He made a promise and a commitment.


That his Injun friends could keep their land
He vowed that his Native American friends could hold onto their territories.


An' the rest of his life he took the stand
Throughout his life, he advocated for this principle.


That justice was due every redskin band
He believed every Native American group deserved fair treatment.


Davy, Davy Crockett, holdin' his promise dear!
He cherishes and upholds the commitment he made.


Home fer the winter with his family
He returns home to spend the winter with his loved ones.


Happy as squirrels in the ol' gum tree
He is as joyful as squirrels playing in a gum tree.


Bein' the father he wanted to be
He enjoys fulfilling his role as a father.


Close to his boys as the pod an' the pea
He is inseparable from his children, akin to a pea in its pod.


Davy, Davy Crockett, holdin' his young'uns dear!
He holds his children close to his heart and values their bond.


But the ice went out an' the warm winds came
As winter passed and warmer weather arrived.


An' the meltin' snow showed tracks of game
With the snow melting, signs of wildlife appeared.


An' the flowers of Spring filled the woods with flame
Spring flowers bloomed vibrantly, vividly coloring the forests.


An' all of a sudden life got too tame
Suddenly, life became too predictable and uneventful for him.


Davy, Davy Crockett, headin' on West again!
Davy decides to venture westward once more.


Off through the woods we're ridin' along
He journeys again through the forest.


Makin' up yarns an' singin' a song
He continues to entertain with storytelling and music.


He's ringy as a be 'are an' twict as strong
He retains his energetic and mighty presence.


An' knows he's right 'cause he ain' often wrong
He is confident in his judgment, rarely making mistakes.


Davy, Davy Crockett, the man who don't know fear!
Once again, he's recognized as the fearless man.


Lookin' fer a place where the air smells clean
He searches for a pristine environment.


Where the trees is tall an' the grass is green
He seeks a location with towering trees and lush grass.


Where the fish is fat in an untouched stream
He desires a place with bountiful fish in pristine waters.


An' the teemin' woods is a hunter's dream
Richly filled woods create an ideal environment for a hunter.


Davy, Davy Crockett, lookin' fer Paradise!
Davy Crockett is on a quest for a perfect, idyllic place.


Now he's lost his love an' his grief was gall
He is heartbroken from losing someone he loved deeply.


In his heart he wanted to leave it all
He yearns to escape from his pain and start anew.


An' lose himself in the forests tall
He seeks to immerse himself in the vast, towering forests.


But he answered instead his country's call
Instead of fleeing, he chooses to respond to his nation's needs.


Davy, Davy Crockett, beginnin' his campaign!
He embarks on a new mission for his country.


Needin' his help they didn't vote blind
His community recognized his value and voted for him wisely.


They put in Davy 'cause he was their kind
They chose Davy because he represented their ideals and values.


Sent up to Nashville the best they could find
They sent him to Nashville as the best representative they had.


A fightin' spirit an' a thinkin' mind
He possessed both a strong will and intelligence.


Davy, Davy Crockett, choice of the whole frontier!
Davy is the preferred candidate for all of the frontier settlers.


The votes were counted an' he won hands down
He won decisively in the election.


So they sent him off to Washin'ton town
As a result of his victory, he was dispatched to Washington, D.C.


With his best dress suit still his buckskins brown
Despite being elected, he remained in his traditional buckskin attire.


A livin' legend of growin' renown
He has become a prominent figure, celebrated by many.


Davy, Davy Crockett, the Canebrake Congressman!
He is known as the congressman from the Canebrake region.


He went off to Congress an' served a spell
He participated in Congress for some time.


Fixin' up the Govern'ments an' laws as well
He worked to improve government processes and legislation.


Took over Washin'ton so we heered tell
He became a significant presence in Washington, D.C., as many reported.


An' patched up the crack in the Liberty Bell
He symbolically repaired what was broken in the representation of freedom.


Davy, Davy Crockett, seein' his duty clear!
He understands his responsibilities and acts on them decisively.


Him an' his jokes travelled all through the land
His humor and stories reached far and wide.


An' his speeches made him friends to beat the band
His engaging speeches attracted many admirers.


His politickin' was their favorite brand
His political style resonated well with the people.


An' everyone wanted to shake his hand
He was so popular that people sought to meet him personally.


Davy, Davy Crockett, helpin' his legend grow!
His actions are contributing to the expansion of his legendary status.


He knew when he spoke he sounded the knell
He understood that his words might indicate the end of his political ambitions.


Of his hopes for White House an' fame as well
He recognized that he might sacrifice his dreams of the presidency.


But he spoke out strong so hist'ry books tell
Despite the risks, he voiced his opinions firmly, which was noted in history.


An' patched up the crack in the Liberty Bell
He continued to address issues symbolizing the ideals of freedom.


Davy, Davy Crockett, seein' his duty clear!
He remains committed to fulfilling his perceived obligations.


When he come home his politickin' done
After completing his political duties, he returns home.


The western march had just begun
New opportunities for exploration and expansion in the West were emerging.


So he packed his gear an' his trusty gun
He prepared for his journey by gathering his belongings and weapon.


An' lit out grinnin' to follow the sun
He set out with a smile, eager to chase the horizon.


Davy, Davy Crockett, leadin' the pioneer!
He is leading the way for those seeking new beginnings in the frontier.


He heard of Houston an' Austin so
He became aware of the names Houston and Austin, significant figures.


To the Texas plains he jest had to go
He felt compelled to journey to the Texas plains.


Where freedom was fightin' another foe
There was another conflict for independence unfolding in Texas.


An' they needed him at the Alamo
The fighters at the Alamo required his assistance in their struggle.


Davy, Davy Crockett, the man who don't know fear!
Once again, he is portrayed as fearless in the pursuit of liberty.


His land is biggest an' his land is best
He believes that his territory is the largest and most desirable.


From grassy plains to the mountain crest
His land spans from fertile fields to tall mountain tops.


He's ahead of us all meetin' the test
He is a trailblazer, facing challenges before anyone else.


Followin' his legend into the West
He is pursuing his adventurous story in the western territories.


Davy, Davy Crockett, king of the wild frontier!
He remains the iconic ruler of the untamed wilderness.




Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Tom Blackburn, George Edward Bruns

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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