Don't Take Your Guns to Town
Johnny Cash Lyrics

A young cowboy named Billy Joe grew restless on the farm
A boy named Billy Joe who lived on a farm was feeling restless and wanted to venture out

A boy filled with wonderlust who really meant no harm
This boy was curious about the world and wanted to explore, and had no intention of harming anyone

He changed his clothes and shined his boots
He put on his best clothes and polished his boots to prepare for his journey

And combed his dark hair down
He fixed his hair neatly as he wanted to look his best

And his mother cried as he walked out
His mother felt emotional and sad as she watched her son leave

Don't take your guns to town son Leave your guns at home Bill Don't take your guns to town
His mother warned him not to carry his guns with him as it could lead to trouble and advised him to leave them behind

He laughed and kissed his mom And said your 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
Despite his mother's warning, Billy Joe felt confident and assured his mother that he wouldn't harm anyone, but she still felt upset as he left

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
As he traveled, he sang and carried his guns, and when he reached a new town, he went to a bar and laid his money down. But his mother's warning rang in his head again

He drank his first strong liquor then to calm his shaking hand And tried to tell himself he had at last he had become a man A dusty cowpoke at his side began to laugh him down And he heard again his mothers words
To calm his nerves, he had a drink, and he tried to prove his manhood. But a cowboy made fun of him, and he heard his mother's warning again

Don't take your guns to town son Leave your guns at home Bill Don't take your guns to town
In his mind, he heard his mother's warning again not to bring his 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
Despite the warning, Billy Joe got upset when he was made fun of and reached for his gun, but before he could draw, the cowboy he was arguing with shot him. As he lay dying, people gathered around and heard him repeating his mother's warning