Pistol Packin' Mama

About Pistol Packin' Mama

"Pistol Packin' Mama" is a 1943 song with the words written by Al Dexter, who adapted the melody from "Boil Them Cabbage Down." The song is notable in that it was the first number one on the Juke Box Folk Records chart, which was later known as the Hot Country Songs chart. Bing Crosby and the Andrews Sisters recorded the song on September 27, 1943 for Decca Records and it was the first number on the Juke Box Folk records charts followed by the original version (recorded March 18, 1942) performed by Al Dexter and His Troopers released on Okeh 6708. The Bing Crosby recording of "Pistol Packin' Mama" peaked at #3 on the Harlem Hit Parade chart. The B-side of the Al Dexter version of "Pistol Packin' Mama," a song entitled "Rosalita," hit number one on the same chart later in the year. As with the Bing Crosby recording, the Al Dexter version charted on the Harlem Hit Parade chart, peaking at #5. Patty Andrews recalled that she and her sisters were quite amused and had to restrain their laughter when Crosby ad libbed "lay that thing down before it goes off and hurts somebody." more »