Ballad of Paladin
Western Music
The Lone Writer  

Western Song: Ballad of Paladin

The Ballad of Paladin is a song written by Johnny Western, Richard Boone, and Sam Rolfe and performed by Duane Eddy. In 1962, the song reached No. 10 on the UK Singles Chart and No. 33 on the Billboard Hot 100. Members of Western Writers of America voted Ballad of Paladin in the Top 100 Western songs of all time. Eddy’s flip side is the theme in the American Western film, The Wild Westerners. Lee Hazlewood produced the song while and Bob Thompson arranged it. American drummer Earl Palmer played in the session. The song has been used heavily as well in the film Stand by Me.

Popular Recordings

Other versions of the song have been recorded as well and performed by the following artists:

  • In 1958, Johnny Western recorded the original version that became the regular theme to the television show Have Gun – Will Travel. His co-writers were the stars and creators of the show. Years later, Western recorded a parody, The Ballad of Palindrome, with the western swing and comedy group Riders in the Sky.
  • In 1962, American guitarist, composer, and arranger Al Caiola released a version as part of an EP.
  • In 1963, American country music producer, singer, and songwriter Faron Young also released a version as part of an EP.
  • Lawrence Welk and His Champagne Music Makers as well as Chuck Wagon & The Wheels recorded their own versions as well.

Ballad of Paladin In Albums

The song has been released and included in the tracklist of different albums such as:

  • T.V. Western Theme Songs by Lawrence Welk
  • Faron Young Aims at the West
  • Please Pass the Gas by Chuck Wagon & The Wheels
  • Johnny Western Sings 20 Great Classics & Legends

Listen (Johnny Western Version)

Ballad of Paladin Lyrics

Paladin, Paladin
Where do you roam
Paladin, Paladin
Far, far from home.

Have gun will travel
Reads the card of a man
A knight without armor
In a savage land.

His fast gun for hire
Heeds the calling wind
A soldier of fortune
Is the man called Paladin.

Paladin, Paladin
Where do you roam
Paladin, Paladin
Far, far from home.

He travels on
To wherever he must
A chess knight of silver
Is his badge of trust.

There are campfire legends
That the plainsmen spin
Of the man with the gun
Of the man called Paladin.

Paladin, Paladin
Where do you roam
Paladin, Paladin
Far, far from home.

Far from home
Far from home...

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