Ruby Don't Take Your Love To Town
Tennessee Lyrics
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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 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
[Chorus:]
He drank his first strong liquor then to calm his shaking hand
And tried to tell himself at last he had become a man
A dusty cowpoke at his side began to laugh him down
And he heard again his mother's words
[Chorus:]
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;
[Chorus:]
In Tennessee's song "Ruby Don't Take Your Love to Town," the lyrics tell the story of a young cowboy named Billy Joe who grew restless and decided to leave his farm. His mother warned him before he left, "Don't take your guns to town," but he ignored her advice and brought them with him. As he entered a cattle town, he tried to act like a man by drinking strong liquor but was laughed at by a dusty cowpoke. In a fit of rage, Billy Joe reached for his gun, but before he even drew it, the stranger beside him fired at him. As he fell to the floor and died, he thought of his mother's warning and regretted not listening to her.
The lyrics of the song are meant to convey a message about the dangers of ignoring the wisdom of those who care for us. Billy Joe's mother warned him not to bring his guns to town, but he didn't listen, and it cost him his life. The song also deals with the concepts of masculinity and how young men often feel the need to prove themselves in certain environments, leading to situations they may regret.
Line by Line Meaning
A young cowboy named Billy Joe
Billy Joe, a youthful cowboy
Grew restless on the farm
He got bored being on the farm
A boy filled with wanderlust
A restless and adventurous boy
Who really meant no harm
Billy Joe was not a bad person
He changed his clothes and shined his boots
He dressed up for an adventure
And combed his dark hair down
He groomed himself for his journey
And his mother cried as he walked out
His mother felt sad as he left
"Don't take your guns to town, son
"Don't carry your guns with you, Billy Joe
Leave your guns at home, Bill
It's not safe to bring your guns with you
"Don't take your guns to town"
"Don't bring your guns with you to the city"
He sang a song as on he rode
He sang a tune while he was riding
His guns hung at his hips
His guns were attached to his belt
He rode into a cattle town
He entered a city famous for its cattle
A smile upon his lips
He was happy and excited
He stopped and walked into a bar and laid his money down
He went into a bar, bought a drink and paid
But his mother's words echoed again
He remembered his mum's words once again
"Don't take your guns to town, son
"Don't carry your guns with you, Billy Joe
Leave your guns at home, Bill
It's not safe to bring your guns with you
"Don't take your guns to town"
"Don't bring your guns with you to the city"
He drank his first strong liquor then to calm his shaking hand
He ordered a whiskey to calm his nerves
And tried to tell himself at last he had become a man
He wanted to prove his maturity to himself
A dusty cowpoke at his side began to laugh him down
A dirty cowboy beside him started to mock him
And he heard again his mother's words
He remembered his mum's words again
"Don't take your guns to town, son
"Don't carry your guns with you, Billy Joe
Leave your guns at home, Bill
It's not safe to bring your guns with you
"Don't take your guns to town"
"Don't bring your guns with you to the city"
Bill was raged and Billy Joe reached for his gun to draw
Billy Joe was angry and tried to reach his gun
But the stranger drew his gun and fired before he even saw
The stranger drew his gun and shot Billy Joe
As Billy Joe fell to the floor the crowd all gathered 'round
As Billy Joe collapsed, the people surrounded him
And wondered at his final words;
The crowd was curious about what he had said before he died
"Don't take your guns to town, son
"Don't carry your guns with you, Billy Joe
Leave your guns at home, Bill
It's not safe to bring your guns with you
"Don't take your guns to town"
"Don't bring your guns with you to the city"
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JOHNNY R. CASH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind