One evening in around 1960, a singer in our local Fresno, CA coffee house sang a nonsense song which contained this partial line: "He pulled out a horse pistol he'd raised from a colt." For some reason, that line keeps bubbling up in my consciousness, but I have never been able to find the song which contains it - until, perhaps, now.
Does anyone else know this song or different versions of it? Does anyone know the tune?

HORSE PISTOL

In past days to come, I'll remember it well,
How a wealthy, young maid in a poorhouse did dwell.
She lived with her father; her life was serene.
Her age it was red, and her hair was nineteen.

The maid had a lover who nearby did dwell
A cross-legged villain, and bow eyes as well.
He said, "Let us fly by the light of yon star,
For you are the eye of my apple, you are!"

"No, no!" said this maiden. "Be cautious and wise.
My father would scratch out your nails with his eyes.
If you really love me, don't bring me disgrace!"
She cried as she buried her hands in her face.

When he heard this refusal, he rushed to the maid,
Silently drawing his knife from the blade.
He then cut the throat of this maiden so fair,
And dragged her around by the head of her hair.

And then it appears that the father appeared,
And gazed on the scene with eyes in his tears.
He stooped o'er the maiden; her fair lips he kissed,
Then rushed with his nose at the murderer's fist.

He rushed at the varlet, who started to bolt.
He drew a horse pistol he'd raised from a colt.
Said the villain, "I'll die if I stay here; that's true."
And turning he ran and he flue up the flew.