TV Theme Songs: The Ballad of Paladin

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Thanks to Linda for pointing out how popular these first theme songs I’ve used in my monthlong look at my favorite television show themes are. All three (including today’s) have prompted a parody. Before I tear up the panhandle with April let’s get to today’s song! The Ballad of Paladin - Johnny Western This is cool because it was co-written by series star Richard Boone! And yes, there was a parody of this: “The Ballad of Palindrome,” which Johnny Western recorded with Riders in the Sky. I don’t remember much of Have Gun - Will Travel, because it was gone by the time I knew what the TV was. I have seen a couple of episodes in rerun, but I haven’t made a point to sit down and binge watch it. Boone (I do remember his later TV series, Hec Ramsey) played Paladin, a 19th-century private investigator/vigilante/whatever. Never had a first name, but had a major cool theme song. The opening theme on TV was played by guitar legend Duane Eddy, while the closing credits were performed by Johnny Western. It’s one of those songs that has survived long past the series! The Ballad of Paladin Written by Sam Rolfe, Johnny Western, and Richard Boone Recorded by Johnny Western (Opening credit music by Duane Eddy) From Have Gun - Will Travel, 1957-63 A knight without honor in a savage land: