Lyrics to Bonanza theme

Friday, Sept. 10, 1999 | 9:07 a.m.

Didn't think the "Bonanza" theme had lyrics? Think again, cowpokes.

The tune, penned by Ray Evans and Jay Livingston, actually reached No. 19 on the pop charts in 1961. Listen up, saddle tramps!:

"We chased lady luck, till we finally struck -- BONANZA!

With a gun and a rope and a hatful of hope, we planted our family tree.

We got a hold of a pot full of gold -- BONANZA!

With a horse and a saddle and a range full of cattle, how rich can a fellow be?

On this land we put our brand, Cartwright is the name; fortume smiled the day we filed the Ponderosa claim.

Here in the West we're livin' in the best -- BONANZA!

If anyone fights any one of us, he's got a fight with me!

Hoss and Joe and Adam know, every rock and pine; no one works, fights or eats, like those boys of mine;

Here we stand in the middle of a grand -- BONANZA!

With a gun and a rope and a hatful of hope, we planted our family tree.

We got a hold of a potful of gold -- BONANZA!

With a houseful of friends where the rainbow ends, how rich can a fellow be?"

archive