Gun to Town Lyrics

A young boy named Billy Joe
Restless on the farm
A boy filled with wanderlust
Who never really meant no harm
Bill changed his clothes and he shined his boots
And he combed his dark hair down
But his mama cried as he walked away
Don't take your guns to town
Don't take your guns to town
Don't take your guns to town

He laughed and kissed his mom and said
Your Billy Joe, he's the man
I can shoot as quick, I can shoot as straight
As anyone can
But I wouldn't shoot without a cause
Or gun nobody down
But she cried again as he rode away

Don't take your guns to town, son
Leave your guns at home
Don't take your guns to town
Well, he drank his first strong liquor then
To calm his shaking hands
And he tried, he tried to tell himself
At last he had become a man
A dusty cowpoke stood at his side
Began to laugh him down
And he heard again his mother's words

Don't take your guns to town, son
Leave your guns at home
Don't take your guns to town
Don't take your guns
Don't take your guns to town
Don't take your guns
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
Don't take your guns to town