From the musical “Annie Get Your Gun”, 1946
Words and music by Irving Berlin
The sheet music:
Accompaniment by James Pitt-Payne:
Lyrics
Oh, my mother was frightened by a shotgun, they say
Thats why I’m such a wonderful shot
I’d be out in the cactus and I’d practice all day
And now tell me what have I got?
Chorus
I’m quick on the trigger with targets not much bigger
Than a pinpoint I’m number one
But my score with a feller is lower than a celler
Oh, you can’t get a man with a gun
When I’m with a pistol, I sparkle like a crystal
Yes, I shine like the morning sun
But I lose all my luster, when with a bronco buster
Oh, you can’t get a man with a gun
With a gu-un, with a gu-un
No, you can’t get a man with a gun
If I went to battle with someone’s herd of cattle
You’d have steak when the job was done
But, if I shot the herder, they’d holler bloody murder
And you can’t get a hug from a mug, with a slug
Oh, you can’t get a man with a gun
Chorus
I’m cool, brave, and daring to see a lion glaring
When I’m out with my Remington
But a look from a mister will raise a fever blister
Oh, you can’t get a man with a gun
The gals with umbrellers are always out with fellers
In the rain or the blazin sun
But a man never trifles with gals who carry rifles
Oh, you can’t get a man with a gun
With a gu-un, with a gu-un
No, you can’t get a man with a gun
A man’s love is mighty, he’ll even buy a nightie
For a gal who he thinks is fun
But they don’t buy pajamas for pistol packin’ mamas
And you can’t shoot a male in the tail like a quail
Oh, you can’t get a man with a gun