Cowboys ain't easy to love and they're harder to hold 
They'd rather give you a song than diamonds or gold 
Lonestar belt buckles and old faded Levi's 
And each night begins a new day 
If you don't understand him, and he don't die young 
He'll prob'ly just ride away 

Mamas, don't let your babies grow up to be cowboys 
Don't let them pick guitars or drive them old trucks 
Let them be doctors and lawyers and such 
Mamas, don't let your babies grow up to be cowboys 
'Cause they'll never stay home and they're always alone 
Even with someone they love 

Cowboys like smokey old pool rooms and clear mountain mornings 
Little warm puppies and children and girls of the night 
Them that don't know him won't like him and them that do 
Sometimes won't know how to take him 
He ain't wrong, he's just different but his pride won't let him 
Do things to make you think he's right 

Mamas, don't let your babies grow up to be cowboys 
Don't let them pick guitars or drive them old trucks 
Let them be doctors and lawyers and such 
Mamas, don't let your babies grow up to be cowboys 
'Cause they'll never stay home and they're always alone 
Even with someone they love