It’s a Lie

Bob Nolan
Original copyright: Undetermined

In a showcase for Sons of the Pioneers’ funnyman Pat Brady, the group, to his increasing frustration, counters his every statement.

(The Pioneers’ response is in bold print.)

I never bragged but my temper’ment’s fright’nin’, I’m just a little bit wild.
Don’t you listen to him.
I cut my teeth on a hunk of chain lightning, I’m mother nature’s problem child.
It’s a lie. It’s the truth, so help me. It’s a lie. It’s a fact, says I.
He’s a tall tale spinner and a first prize winner and the thing he does best is lie.
Says who? Says we.
It’s the truth. Says who?
Says me! It’s a lie. Oh, hen’s teeth.

I cleared the way through the Indian country, I made Sittin’ Bull stand.
Don’t you listen to him.
I cut a club from a sycamore gum tree then played tag with Geronimo’s band.
It’s a lie. It’s the truth, so help me. It’s a lie. It’s a fact, says I.
He’s a tall tale spinner and a first prize winner and the thing he does best is lie.
Says who? Says we.
It’s the truth. Says who?
Says me! It’s a lie. Ah, shuckins.

I led the troops at the Bunker Hill battle and the charge of the light brigade.
Don’t you listen to him.
They shot my horse but I took my saddle and I finished on the back of a renegade.
It’s a lie. It’s the truth, so help me. It’s a lie. It’s a fact, says I.
He’s a tall tale spinner and a first prize winner and the thing he does best is lie.
Says who? Says we.
It’s the truth. Says who?
Says me! It’s a lie. Oh, blither.

I’m quite a guy with the pretty gals, also; that’s just a part of my rep.
Don’t you listen to him.
I got a way makes the pretty gals fall so, pretty little gal, you better watch your step.
It’s a lie. It’s the truth, so help me. It’s a lie. It’s a fact, says I.
He’s a tall tale spinner and a first prize winner and the thing he does best is lie.
Says who? Says we.
It’s the truth. Says who?
Says me!
And the thing he does best is lie.

Slightly different wording, such as in the verse from an archival lead sheet, was used on different occasions.

I led the troops at the Bunker Hill battle, I made Sittin’ Bull stand
Don’t you listen to him.
I cleared the way for the wagon train travel, I made the treaty with Geronimo’s band.
It’s a lie. It’s the truth, so help me. It’s a lie. It’s a fact, says I.
He’s a tall tale spinner and a first prize winner and the thing he does best is lie.
Says who? Says we.
It’s the truth. Says who?
Says me. It’s a lie. Oh, blither.

The song was a work for hire for the movie, Sunset on the Desert (1942), therefore it belonged to Republic Pictures and no sheet music was printed. Only rough lead sheets are left for us.

The song was never commercially recorded by the Sons of the Pioneers. However, "It's a Lie" was an audience pleaser and they included it many times in their radio programs. For example, they used it many times in their Lucky U Ranch radio shows.

Pat changes the words to suit himself in each performance.

The song was a work for hire for the movie, Sunset on the Desert (1942), therefore it belonged to Republic Pictures and no sheet music was printed. Only rough lead sheets are left for us.

It’s a Lie (lead sheets)

SONS OF THE PIONEERS TRANSCRIPTION RECORDINGS

NBC Thesaurus transcriptions, side B G7-MM-4673-M (1965)

Teleways Radio Productions transcriptions, Nos. 19, 57, 69, 108, 175, and 195 (c. 1947-48)

Lucky U Ranch radio show (courtesy of Larry Hopper)
- Transcriptions disc TR-50/502 (September 2, 1952)
- Transcriptions disc TR-511/512 (October 9, 1952)
Lucky U without the Sons of the Pioneers
- Transcriptions disc TR-736/737 (March 16, 1953)
- Transcriptions disc TR-836/837 (May 25, 1953)