S.O.D. "Theme From Bonanza" by David Rose

     10/7/14

Believe it or not this tune has two sets of lyrics.   There are also 4 different versions of the instrumentation that were made to go along with the changes of the visual introduction from time to time and of course to keep the viewers tuned in.  

Pernell Roberts, who plays Adam was the best singer of the four actors although Lorne Greene, the shows father figure, did a successful revamp of the Livingston and Evans lyrics. In his day he was a fairly successful vocalist.

Right around 15 versions were done by other artists including Johnny Cash which was notable and Ralf Paulson released a 1963 version in the German language which was based on Cash's arrangement of the song.  

Orchestrated by David Rose and arranged by Billy May, the Western Writers of America named it one of the Top 100 Western Songs of All Time.