Don’t Take Your Guns to Town

A young cowboy named Billy Joe, grew restless on the farm
A boy filled with wonderlust to really meant no harm
He changed his clothes and shined his boots 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 as anybody can"
"But, I wouldn't shoot without a cause I'd gun nobody down"
But she cried again as he rode away: "Don't take your guns to town, son"
"Leave your guns at home, Bill, don't take your guns to town"

He sang a song as on he rode, his guns hung at his hips
He rode into a cattle town a smile upon his lips
He stopped and walked into a bar and laid his money down
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 he had become a man
A dusty cowpoke at his began to laugh him down
And his mother's words they cold again: "Don't take your guns to town, son"
"Leave your guns at home, Bill, don't take your guns to town"

Filled with rage 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
And wondered at his final words: "Don't take your guns to town, son"
"Leave your guns at home, Bill, don't take your guns to town"