Name of Theme:

Composer(s) & Lyricist(s): Ed Bruce, Glenn Ray, Patsy Bruce

Performer(s): Ed Bruce

 

Series Opening:

 

Too many dusty trail towns, too few and far between

Tired saloons and sawdust-covered floors

Too many one more showdowns and aces over queens

Winning’s just a way of keeping score

 

My ol’ pappy always told me your fate is in your hands

Stand pat or draw, it’s yours to choose

Luck don’t have a thing to do with how you play the game

Maverick didn’t come here to lose

Maverick didn’t come here to lose

Maverick didn’t come here to lose

 

To hear the theme, click below:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BPSZ8nB7IaI

 

Theme performed during the poker game in the pilot:

 

Lyrics:

 

Too many dusty trail towns, too few and far between

Tired saloons and sawdust-covered floors

Too many one more showdowns and aces over queens

Winning’s just a way of keeping score.

 

My ol’ pappy always told me your fate is in your hands

Stand pat or draw, it’s yours to choose

Luck don’t have a thing to do with how you play the game

Maverick didn’t come here to lose

Maverick didn’t come here to lose

 

No one recalls the first hand, they all know who won the last

And every man must find his place in time

If all a man can count on’s finally pushing up the grass

When I do I’ll lay you odds that grass is mine

 

My ol’ pappy always told me your fate is in your hands

Stand pat or draw, it’s yours to choose

Luck don’t have a thing to do with how you play the game

Maverick didn’t come here to lose

Maverick didn’t come here to lose

Maverick didn’t come here to lose

 

To hear this version, click below:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XzeIopdYLo4

 

Additional stanza on pilot (“the Lazy Ace”) closing credits performed by James Garner:

I’m tired of leaving nothing, No one ever knows you’re gone

Someone’s always there to take your seat

I wonder how it feels to hear someone say “glad your home”

Or greet the same ol’ friends on a familiar street

 

My ol’ pappy always told me your fate is in your hand

Stand pat or draw, it’s yours to choose

Luck don’t have a thing to do with how you play the game

Maverick didn’t come here to lose

Maverick didn’t come here to lose

Maverick didn’t come here to lose