A young cowboy named Billy Joe
grew restless on the farm,
a boy filled with wonderlust
who really meant no harm.
and combed his dark hair down,
and his mother cried as he walked out.
Don't take your guns to town, son
Leave your guns at home, Bill
Don't take your guns to town
He laughed and kissed his mom
And said, you're Billy Joe's a man
I can shoot as quick and straight
But I wouldn't shoot without a cause,
But she cried again as he rolled away
Don't take your guns to town, son,
leave your guns at home, Bill
Don't take your guns to town
he rode his guns hung at his hips
He rode into a cattle town,
He stopped and walked into a bar
But his mother's words echoed again
Don't take your guns to town, son,
leave your guns at home, Bill,
don't take your guns to town.
He drank his first strong liquor
then to calm his shaking hand,
and tried to tell himself at last
A dusty cowpoke at his side
Don't take your guns to town, son,
leave your guns at home, Bill,
Don't take your guns to town.
then Billy Joe reached for his gun to draw
But the stranger drew his gun
and fired before he even saw
As Billy Joe fell to the floor
the crowd all gathered round
Don't take your guns to town, son,
Leave your guns at home, Bill,
Don't take your guns to town.
