Don't Take Your Guns To Town
Johnny Cash
A A
A Ayoung cowboy named Billy Joe grew Erestless on the farmA,
a boy filled with wanderlust, who Ereally meant no Aharm.
He Dchanged his clothes and shined his boots and combed his dark hair down.
And his Amother cried as he walked out,
"Don't Dtake your guns to Atown, son.
DLeave your guns at Ahome, Bill.
Don't Dtake your guns to Atown."
He Alaughed and kissed his mom and said, "youEr Billy Joe's a Aman.
I can shoot as quick and straight as Eanybody canA
But I Dwouldn't shoot without a cause, I'd gun nobody down."
But she Acried again as he rode away,
"Don't Dtake your guns to Atown, son.
DLeave your guns at Ahome, Bill.
Don't Dtake your guns to Atown."
He Asang a song as on he rodEe, his guns hung at Ahis hips.
He rode into a cattle town, a Esmile upon his Alips.
He Dstopped and walked into a bar and laid his money down.
But his Amother's words echoed again:
"Don't Dtake your guns to Atown, son.
DLeave your guns at Ahome, Bill.
Don't Dtake your guns to Atown."
He Adrank his first strong liquor then Eto calm his shakinAg hand,
and tried to tell himself at last he Ehad become Aa man.
A Ddusty cowpoke at his side began to laugh him down.
And he Aheard again his mother's words:
"Don't Dtake your guns to Atown, son.
DLeave your guns at Ahome, Bill.
Don't Dtake your guns to Atown."
AFilled with rage the Billy Joe reacheEd for his gun Ato Draw
but the stranger drew his gun and fired befEore he even sawA.
As DBilly Joe fell to the floor the crowd all gathered 'round
and Awondered at his final words:
"Don't Dtake your guns to Atown, son.
DLeave your guns at home, BillA.
Don't Dtake your guns to Atown."