A young 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 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's a man

And 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...



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...



He drank his first strong liquor then to calm his shaking hand

And he tried to tell himself at last he'd become a man

A dust cowpoke at his side began to laugh him down

And he heard again his mother's words



Don't take your guns to town son...



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 son...