“The Ballad of Davy Crockett” is a song with music by George Bruns and lyrics by Thomas W. Blackburn.

The first recording of the song was made by Fess Parker, quickly followed by versions by Bill Hayes and Tennessee Ernie Ford (recorded February 7, 1955). All three versions made the Billboard charts: Hayes’ version made #1 on the weekly chart (from March 26 through April 23, 1955) and #7 for the year, Parker’s reached #6 on the weekly charts and #31 for the year, while Ford’s peaked at #4 on the weekly country chart and #5 on the weekly pop chart and charted at #37 for the year. A fourth version, by bluegrass singer Mac Wiseman, reached #10 on the radio charts in May 1955. The song also reached #1 on the Cash Box charts, from March 26 through May 14, 1955. A contemporary version also exists of the famous Western singing group the Sons of the Pioneers. Over ten million copies of the song were sold.

The song was introduced on the television miniseries Davy Crockett, first telecast on December 15, 1954, on ABC’s Disneyland. Fess Parker played the role of Davy Crockett and continued in four other episodes made by Walt Disney Studios. It was sung by The Wellingtons. Buddy Ebsen co-starred as George “Georgie” Russel, and Jeff York played legendary boatman Mike Fink.

Capitol Records.
From Walt Disney’s Disneyland Television Show.
Sung by Tennessee Ernie Ford.

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One response »

  1. arthur says:

    hello,
    Audio is missing
    Thanks

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