Bonanza Lyrics!

Yes, there are two versions to that famous Bonanza theme song. This first gem was filmed for the pilot episode "A Rose for Lotta." Thankfully, NBC executives nixed it before the episode aired, otherwise the Cartwrights would have been a one-evening wonder!

The Ill-Fated Bonanza Lyrics From the Pilot
(Little Joe solo) I've got a flair for women everywhere -- Bonanza!
(Hoss solo) 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 solo) 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!

And if that wasn't enough, Lorne Greene recorded some lyrics on his Welcome to the Ponderosa album in 1964. You know the tune:

Bonanza Lyrics from "Welcome to the Ponderosa"

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 rake full of cattle, how rich could a fella 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
If anyone fights any one of us, he's gotta 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 hat full of hope we planted our family tree
We got a hold of a pot full of gold -- Bonanza
With a house full of friends where the rainbow ends, how rich could a fella
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, fightinist, 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, Bonanza!