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A young cowboy named Billy Joe 
      F             A# 
Grew restless on a farm. 
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A boy filled with wonder lust 
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To really met no harm. 
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He changed his clothes and shined his boots 
     D# 
And calmed his dark hair down. 
 
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       And his mother cried as he walked out 
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       Don't take your guns to town, son. 
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       Leave your guns at home, Bill, 
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       Don't take your guns to town... 
 
He left 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 
       Don't take your guns to town, son. 
       Leave your guns at home, Bill, 
       Don't take your guns to town... 
 
He sang his 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 
       Don't take your guns to town, son. 
       Leave your guns at home, Bill, 
       Don't take your guns to town... 
       
He drink his first strong liqueur then 
To calm his shaking hands 
And tried to tell himself at last 
He had become a man. 
A dusty couple cards 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, Bill, 
       Don't take your guns to town... 
 
Bill with rage than 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...