
Western Song: Ballad of Davy Crockett
The members of The Western Writers of America chose the Ballad of Davy Crockett as one of the Top 100 Western Songs of all time. The song’s music is by George Bruns, while the lyrics are by Thomas W. Blackburn. On October 27, 1954, the song was introduced in the premiere episode of the ABC television series Disneyland.
American film and television actor Fess Parker is shown performing the song on a log cabin set in frontiersman clothes, accompanied by similarly dressed musicians. The version of the song sang by The Wellingtons was later heard throughout the Disneyland television miniseries Davy Crockett, first aired on December 15, 1954. Parker played the role of Davy Crockett in the miniseries and went on to four other episodes produced by Walt Disney Studios. Together with Parker, Buddy Ebsen starred as George “Georgie” Russel, while Jeff York played legendary boatman Mike Fink.
The president of Cadence Records, Archie Bleyer, heard the song on ABC television (December 15, 1954) and called Bill Hayes that night to assess his interest in recording it. The next day, the song was recorded by Hayes (vocals), Al Caiola (guitar), and Art Ryerson (guitar) in just one take at an RCA studio in Manhattan.
Table of Contents
Popular Recordings
Various artists recorded their versions of the song. Some notable covers are from:
- Fess Parker
- Tennessee Ernie Ford
- Mac Wiseman
- Sons of the Pioneers
- Louis Armstrong
- Burl Ives
- Pinky and Perky
- The Kentucky Headhunters
- Tim Curry
- Mannheim Steamroller
- They Might Be Giants
- Max Bygraves
- Billy Cotton
- Gary Miller
- Ronnie Ronalde
- Dick James
Ballad of Davy Crockett Chart Performance
The song has been included in the top hits of the following charts:
- Billboard magazine Charts
- Cash Box Chart
- New Musical Express chart
- Billboard Hot Country Singles Chart
In Albums
Here is the list of some albums where the song has been included in the tracklist:
- Electric Barnyard
- Disney’s Music From The Park
- Mannheim Steamroller Meets the Mouse
- Here Comes Science
Listen (Fess Parker Version)
Ballad of Davy Crockett Lyrics
Born on a mountain in Tennessee Greenest state in the land of the free Raised in the woods so's he knew every tree He killed him a b'ar when he was only three Davy, Davy Crockett, king of the wild frontier Fought single-handed thru the Injun war 'Till the Creeks was whipped and the peace was in store And while he was a'handlin' this risky chore Made hisself a legend forever more Davy, Davy Crockett, the man who don't know fear When he lost his love, his grief was gall In his heart, he wanted to leave it all And lose hisself in the forest tall But he answered, instead, his country's call Davy, Davy Crockett, the choice of the whole frontier He went off to Congress and served a spell Fixin' up the government and laws as well Took over Washington, so I hear tell And patched up a crack in the Liberty Bell Davy, Davy Crockett, seein' his duty clear When he came home, his politickin' done Why, the big western march had just begun So he packed his gear and his trusty gun And lit out a'grinnin' to follow the sun Davy, Davy Crockett, leadin' the pioneer His land is the biggest, his land is the best From grassy plaines to the mountain crest He's ahead of us all and meetin' the test And a'follern' his legend right into the west Davy, Davy Crockett, king of the wild frontier Davy, Davy Crockett, king of the wild frontier