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 'round 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