Don't Take Your Guns To Town

A young boy named Billy Joe

Restless on the farm

A boy filled with wanderlust

Who never really meant no harm

Bill changed his clothes and he shined his boots

And he combed his dark hair down

But his mama cried as he walked away

Don't take your guns to town

Don't take your guns to town

Don't take your guns to town



He laughed and kissed his mom and said

Your Billy Joe, he's the man

I can shoot as quick, I can shoot as straight

As anyone can

But I wouldn't shoot without a cause

Or gun nobody down

But she cried again as he rode away



Don't take your guns to town, son

Leave your guns at home

Don't take your guns to town



Well, he drank his first strong liquor then

To calm his shaking hands

And he tried, he tried to tell himself

At last he had become a man

A dusty cowpoke stood at his side

Began to laugh him down

And he heard again his mother's words



Don't take your guns to town, son

Leave your guns at home

Don't take your guns to town



Don't take your guns

Don't take your guns to town

Don't take your guns

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 around

And wondered at his final words



Don't take your guns to town, son

Leave your guns at home

Don't take your guns to town