From the musical “Annie Get Your Gun”, 1946
Words and music by Irving Berlin
The sheet music:
Accompaniment by James Pitt-Payne:
Lyrics
Who’s got the stuff that made the Wild West wild?
Who pleases ev’ry woman, man and child?
Who does his best to give the customers a thrill?
Who? Colonel Buff’lo Bill
Who’s got the show that gets the most applause?
Five hundred Indians and fifty squaws
Ten feature acts and there’s the special feature still
Who? Colonel Buff’lo Bill
Did you ever see a cowboy rope a steer?
No, we haven’t
Or an Indian with feathers throw a spear?
No, we haven’t
Or a marksman shoot an earring from an ear?
No, we haven’t
Did you ever see a hold up?
No, sir
Then gather closer
And let me give you some of the atmosphere
The hour is midnight and all is still
We see the stagecoach climbing up a hill
Going along a mountain trail
Carrying passengers and mail
Never suspecting danger as they roll along
The watchful driver is in his seat
His trusty rifle lying at his feet
Some of the passengers inside
Seem to be dozing as they ride
Never suspecting there is something really wrong
Suddenly there’s a shout
What is it all about?
What is it all about you ask?
It’s Indians, Indians, Indians, Indians
Very notable, cut your throat-able Indians, Indians
Just when they’ve taken ev’ryone by force
Who makes an entrance on a big white horse?
Who starts a-shootin’ till there’s no one left to kill?
Gen’ral Grant? No! Colonel Buff’lo Bill!
Certainly this is quite a thrill
Better than all the vaudeville
Let us be on the go
And see the show with Buff’lo Bill