Bonanza
1959



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Highlights
  • Theme song for the NBC television series Bonanza that ran from 1959-1973, starring Lorne Greene, Michael Landon and Dan Blocker.
  • The adventures of Ben Cartwright and his sons as they run and defend their ranch while helping the surrounding community.



Recording History
The A Strings, Bonanza, unreleased version, Warner Bros. Records
Al Caiola and his Orchestra, Bonanza, single, United Artists Records, #UA 302
Arthur Fiedler and The Boston Pops Orchestra, The Pops Goes West, RCA Victrola, #5695-4-RV
Buddy Morrow and his Orchestra, Bonanza, single, RCA VIctor Records, #K2PW-6105
Johnny Cash, Bonanza, single, Columbia Records, #4-42512
David Rose and his Orchestra, Bonanza, single, MGM Records, #K12965
Michael Feinstein, Livingston & Evans Songbook, Concord Records, FCD-3101-2, 2002
Lorne Greene, Bonanza, single, RCA Victor Records, #47-8444
Ricky King, Die 20 Shonsten Weltheits in Gitarren Sound, Epic Records, #EPC 83034
Marty Gold and his Orchestra, Themes From, RCA Victor Records, #LPM-2163
Ralf Paulsen, Bonanza, single, Capitol Records, #4986
Felix Slatkin, Many Splendored Themes, Liberty Records, #LMM 13011
Jon Weber, It's Never Quite the Same, Mood Records, MD-1111, 1998
Lyrics
We chased lady luck, 'til we finally struck Bonanza.
With a gun and a rope and a hat full of hope, planted a family tree. We got hold of a pot 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' the best, Bonanza, if anyone fights any one of us, he's go a fight with me, Bonanza.

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 hold of a potful 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 livin' the best Bonanza.

With the friendliest, fightingist, loving 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...
Bonanza Theme from the NBC television production Bonanza Livingston and Evans, Inc., 1959. Words and Music by Jay Livingston and Ray Evans (Special Picture Release)