HB-notes by

Lyrics to
" The Rifleman " ♫

"THE RIFLEMAN"
from the ABC-TV Series
"The Rifleman"
starring Chuck Connors

a Four Star-Sussex Production Levy-Gardner-Laven Productions
words by Alfred Perry, ASCAP Music by Herschel Burke Gilbert, _______________________________________________________ASCAP

Verse 1.           HE IS NO STRANGER TO THE SETTLERS
                       AND THE BAD MEN KNOW HIS FAME
                       THEY SPEAK OF HIM IN WHISPERS
                       BUT THEY NEVER USE HIS NAME

Chorus:            THEY CALL HIM THE RIFLEMAN,
                       THE STRONG, COURAGEOUS RIFLEMAN
                       A GREAT BIG MOUNTAIN OF A MAN.

Verse 2.            HE NEVER REACHES FOR HIS RIFLE
                        EXCEPT WHEN HE'S ATTACKED.
                        HE RECKONS THERE'S A TIME TO SPEAK
                        AND THERE'S A TIME TO ACT.

Chorus:             THEY CALL HIM THE RIFLEMAN
                        THE STRONG, COURAGEOUS RIFLEMAN
                        A GREAT BIG MOUNTAIN OF A MAN.

Verse 3.             THEY KNOW THAT WHEN IT COMES TO
                         MARKSMANSHIP
                         HE'S BETTER THAN THE BEST.
                         STILL, SOME-ONE'S ALWAY FOOL
                         ENOUGH TO PUT HIM TO THE TEST.
Chorus:              THEY CALL HIM THE RIFLEMAN
                         THE STRONG, COURAGEOUS RIFLEMAN
                         A GREAT BIG MOUNTAIN OF A MAN.

Verse 4.             TO EVERY LAD WHO COMES TO HIM
                         TO LEARN THE SECRET OF HIS ART
                         HE TELLS THEM THERE'S NO MEDICINE
                         TO HEAL A COWARD'S HEART.

Chorus:               THEY CALL HIM THE RIFLEMAN
                          THE STRONG, COURAGEOUS RIFLEMAN
                          A GREAT BIG MOUNTAIN OF A MAN.

Verse 5.              THERE IS A MORAL TO HIS EXPLOITS
                          AND HE'S TAUGHT IT TO HIS SON
                          SPEAK SOFTLY TO YOUR ENEMY
                           BUT LET HIM SEE YOUR GUN!

Chorus:                THEY CALL HIM THE RIFLEMAN
                           THE STRONG, COURAGEOUS RIFLEMAN
                           A GREAT BIG MOUNTAIN OF A MAN.

♫ "The Rifleman" ~ opening theme ♫ "The Rifleman" ~ ending theme
[You must have a Windows Media player to hear this song]
*Please note that some of the sound files downloaded may sound "Jerky". After selecting the sound and allowing it to play through completely, you should then replay the sound again

♫'s about the lyrics & music to "The Rifleman"—The lyrics were written by Alfred Perry, Herschel's long time friend and collaborator. Alfred was Herschel's Right Hand Man at Four Star Productions and took over the music department for Herschel when he left Four Star for CBS in 1964.

The lyrics are owned by Herschel Burke Gilbert's publishing company: John Paul Music.
John & Paul are Herschel's son's. Neat huh?

"The Rifleman" theme was one of the most popular western themes on television. It was on a par only with Bonanza (which had a longer run).

This theme music and score received more fan mail than all other Four Star productions combined and even more fan mail, in one season, than Chuck Connors.....Chuck was surprised as a lot of other people were.

Part of the lyric was used once in an episode.....a la High Noon. It is a typical western lyric, bigger than life.

"These lyrics are copyrighted by John Paul Music Inc.© and may not be copied or used for any purpose whatsoever without expressed, written permission of the publisher."

On behalf of The Rifleman....."Welcome to the McCain Ranch"——and all the fans of Herschel Burke Gilbert's music & fans of "The Rifleman,"
I wish to thank John for the permission to be able to add these lyrics to my website.
They truly are an asset! Thanks John!
Laurel Records

About Laurel Records

Herschel Burke Gilbert's Biography

John Gilbert, Herschel Burke-Gilbert's son, sent these links of several interview videos on Herschel Burke-Gilbert for you to enjoy. They are brought to you by Archive of American Television Interview Herschel Burke Gilbert. Hear Herschel talk about his life, how he got to do the theme for The Rifleman and a lot of his great music scores. So much history here about the man and his music, "The Theme Weaver"

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