bonanza!

O.K., this show and its lyrics are probably the most curious TV lyric situation of which I'm aware.

Here's what I know:

1) The lyrics were not part of the regular run of the show.

2) It's clear that there were lyrics written for the song, at the time the song was written and before the first show was aired.

3) The brothers and dad sang the lyrics on the original album soundtrack.

4) Lorne Greene sang lyrics to the song on a record album later on.

What I've heard from several sources (though no source was definitive):

1) The lyrics were sung by a contingent of the four actors. I've heard that it was all four actors, some others say just Ben, Hoss & Little Joe (funny, I'd think that Pernell Roberts would have a nice voice . . . )

2) They were sung only on the pilot episode.

3) Many people who saw the pilot on TV hated the lyrics (or the song, or for all I know, the singing).

4) NBC received many complaints and subsequently switched to an instrumental theme.

Looking at the lyrics, it's not hard to imagine that even in 1959, they would be a bit strong. What is all the more odd is that Bonanza was known as a TV show with a fair amount of restraint when it came to fighting, and like all the TV westerns of the 1950s and 1960s, all four men were steadfastly chivalrous. Also, one can imagine the four (or three) of them singing and a shudder probably zips down the spine. Who knows what is the truth? Anyway, enjoy the lyrics below, I like to think of Hop Sing joining in on the chorus as well!

The following lyrics come from one source and at least fit the music that begins the show.

We got a right to pick a little fight - Bonanza!
If anyone fights anyone of us he’s gotta fight with me!

We’re not a one to saddle up and run: Bonanza!
Anyone of us who starts a little fuss knows he can count on me.

One for four. Four for one: This we guarantee.

We got a right to pick a little fight: Bonanza!
If anyone fights anyone of us he’s gotta fight with me!

The following lyrics come from another source:

(Little Joe) - I've got a flair for women everywhere - Bonanza!
(Hoss) - Bonanza! (Barks and howls)
(All three) - I'm not afraid of any pretty maid - Bonanza! Bonanza!

But when I give a kiss to any little miss
She'll learn a lot from me
(Ben) - I'm not afraid of any pretty maid -- Bonanza!
(All three) - Bonanza!
When I give a kiss to any little miss
She'll learn a lot from me

Hair of brown, hair of gold - I take what I see
We're not a one to saddle up and run - Bonanza! Bonanza!
Any one of us who starts a little fuss knows he can count on me

One for four, four for one - this we guarantee
We got a right to pick a little fight - Bonanza! Bonanza!
If anyone fights any one of us he's gotta fight with me!

Thanks to Anita D.

Lyrics as sung by Lorne Greene on the album Lorne Greene's American West

We chased lady luck, 'til we finally struck - Bonanza
With a gun and a rope and a hat full 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,
Fortune 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 pot full of gold - Bonanza
With a houseful of friends where the rainbow ends, how rich can a fellow be?

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

Here in the west we're living in the best - Bonanza
With the friendliest, fightingist, lovingist band, that ever set foot in the promised land and we're happier than them all.

That's why we call it Bonanza . . . Bonanza . . . Bonanza.