Song lyrics to You’ll Be Jes’ Another Notch on Father’s Shotgun, Written by Lyn Duddy, Jerry Bresler and Joan Edwards, Performed by Dorothy Shay in Comin’ Round the Mountain
Now the date had been set for the wedding
But the groom was a bashful young beau.
He promised, but then kept forgetting
So the bride to be just whispered off and low …
You’ll be just another notch on father’s shotgun
If’n you don’t marry me.
So if you’d rather be dead then blissfully wed,
Don’t get that ring you promised me last spring.
Now Pa hardly ever misses,
When he draws that gat from his hip.
And you have your choice of kisses
Or a slug of lead in the lip!
So don’t learn your lesson
From Dad’s Smith & Wesson
And don’t be a suitor
Of Papa’s six-shooter
Just get that preacher on the run
Or you’ll be just another notch on father’s gun.
You’ll be just another notch on father’s shotgun
If’n you don’t marry me.
So if you’d rather be found ‘neath six feet of ground
Jest leave me fitched instead of gettin’ hitched.
Now Pa says if you won’t linger
When he takes that gun from the wall
You better put that ring on my finger,
Or you won’t breathe no more at all. At all!
So don’t be a jester
With Papa’s Winchester
And don’t be an eyeful
In Daddy’s old rife
And stop hesitatin’
And don’t keep me waitin’
Just get that preacher on the run …
Or you’ll just be another notch [wedding march instrumental]
You’ll be just another notch on Father’s gun!