A young cowboy named Billy Joe

grew restless on the farm

A boy filled with wonderlust

who 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 he heard again his mother's words

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.