A young school cowboy named Billy Joe grew restless on the farm A boy filled with wanderlust who really meant no harm He changed his clothes and shined his boots and he 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 your Billy Joe is 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...
He drank his first strong liquor then to calm his shaking hand And he tried to tell himself at last he had become a man But a big bad man stand at his side began to laugh him down And his mother's words echoed again
Don't take your guns...
Bill was raged and 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... Don't take your guns to town...
