A young schoolboy named Billy Joe
Grew restless on the farm
A boy filled with wonderlust
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 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 drove away
"Don't take your guns to town, son
Leave your guns at home, Bill
Don't take your guns to town"
He drank his first strong liquor then
To calm his shaking hand
And he tried to tell himself at last
He had become a man
But a big bad man standing at his side
Began to laugh him down
And his mother's words are called again
"Don't take your guns to town, son
Leave your guns at home, Bill
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, Bill
Don't take your guns to town
Don't take your guns to town, son
Leave your guns at home, Bill
Don't take your guns to town"