I’ll tell you a story, a real true life story
A tale of the Western frontier
The West, it was lawless, but one man was flawless
And his is the story you’ll hear
Wyatt Earp, Wyatt Earp
Brave, courageous and bold
Long live his fame and long live his glory
And long may his story be told!
When he came to Kansas, to settle in Kansas
He dreamed of a peaceable life
Some goods and some chattel, a few head of cattle
A home and a sweet loving wife
Wyatt Earp, Wyatt Earp
Brave, courageous and bold
Long live his fame and long live his glory
And long may his story be told!
Now he wasn’t partial to being a marshal
But fate went and dealt him his hand
While outlaws were looting and killing and shooting
He knew that he must take a stand
Wyatt Earp, Wyatt Earp
Brave, courageous and bold
Long live his fame and long live his glory
And long may his story be told!
Well he cleaned up the country, the old wild west country
He made law and order prevail
And none can deny it, the legend of Wyatt
Forever will live on the trail
Wyatt Earp, Wyatt Earp
Brave, courageous and bold
Long live his fame and long live his glory
And long may his story be told
And long may his story be told!
Behind the Music: Meaning & Story
The theme song for The Life and Times of Wyatt Earp, titled “The Legend of Wyatt Earp,” was composed by the legendary Harry Warren and performed by The Ken Darby Singers. The song is a classic Western ballad that serves as a narrative prologue, summarizing the transformation of Earp from a man seeking a “peaceable life” into a legendary lawman who made “law and order prevail.”
Debuting in 1955 on ABC, the series was one of the first “adult Westerns,” moving away from the simplistic heroics of earlier programs toward a more biographical (though often fictionalized) approach. Starring Hugh O’Brian as the titular marshal, the show chronicled Earp’s journey through Kansas towns like Ellsworth and Wichita, eventually leading to his famous tenure in Tombstone.
The song’s refrain—”Brave, courageous and bold”—became a national catchphrase during the show’s six-season run. The lyrics emphasize Earp’s reluctance to take up the badge (“he wasn’t partial to being a marshal”), a theme that added a layer of duty and sacrifice to his character. As one of the longest-running Westerns of the era, the theme song played a crucial role in cementing the real-life Wyatt Earp as a flawless icon of American folklore.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who played Wyatt Earp in this series?
The iconic role of Wyatt Earp was played by Hugh O’Brian. He was famously selected for his resemblance to the real Earp and for his skill with a quick-draw.
Does the show feature the Gunfight at the O.K. Corral?
Yes. The series spent several seasons building up to Earp’s arrival in Tombstone, Arizona, and the final season famously culminated in a multi-episode arc depicting the events leading up to the legendary O.K. Corral shootout.
Was the theme song a commercial hit?
While primarily known as a TV theme, the version by The Ken Darby Singers was very popular during the 1950s, helping to spark a trend of narrative-driven Western theme songs for other shows like Rawhide and Wagon Train.
