Lyrics:

A young cowboy named Billy Joegrew restless on the farmA boy filled with wonderlustwho really meant no harmHe changed his clothes and shined his bootsand combed his dark hair downAnd his mother cried as he walked outDon't take your guns to town, sonleave your guns at home, Billdon't take your guns to townHe laughed and kissed his mom and saidyou're Billy Joe's a manI can shoot as quick and straightas anybody canBut, I wouldn't shoot without a causeI'd gun nobody downBut she cried again as he rode awayDon't take your guns to town, sonleave your guns at home, Billdon't take your guns to town.He sang a song as on he rodehis guns hung at his hipshe rode into a cattle towna smile upon his lipsHe stopped and walked into a barand laid his money downbut his mother's words echoed againdon't take your guns to town, sonleave your guns at home, Billdon't take your guns to town.He drank his first strong liquorthen to calm his shaking handand tried to tell himself at lasthe had become a mana dusty cowpoke at hisbegan to laugh him downand he heard again his mother's wordsdon't take your guns to town, sonleave your guns at home, Billdon't take your guns to town.Filled with rage then Billy Joereached for his gun to drawbut the stranger drew his gun and firedbefore he even sawAs Billy Joe fell to the floorthe crowd all gathered roundand wondered at his final wordsdon't take your guns to town, sonleave your guns at home, Billdon't take your guns to town.