Intro: A A
A E A
A young cowboy named Billy Joe grew restless on the farm
E A
a boy filled with wanderlust who really meant no harm
D
He changed his clothes and shined his boots and combed his dark hair down
A
And his mother cried as he walked out
D A
don't take your guns to town son
D A
Leave your guns at home Bill
D A
Don't take your guns to town
A E A
He laughed and kissed his mom and said your Billy Joe's a man
E A
I can shoot as quick and straight as anybody can
D
But I wouldn't shoot without a cause I'd gun nobody down
A
But she cried again as he rode away
D A
don't take your guns to town son
D A
Leave your guns at home Bill
D A
Don't take your guns to town
A E A
He sang as on he rode his guns hung at his hips
E A
He rode into a cattle town a smile upon his lips
D
He stopped and walked into a bar and laid his money down
A
But his mother's words echoed again
D A
don't take your guns to town son
D A
Leave your guns at home Bill
D A
Don't take your guns to town
A E A
He drank his first strong liquor then to calm his shaking hand
E A
and tried to tell himself at last he had become a man
D
A dusty cowpoke at his side began to laugh him down
A
And he heard again his mother's words
D A
don't take your guns to town son
D A
Leave your guns at home Bill
D A
Don't take your guns to town
A E A
Filled with rage the Billy Joe reached for his gun to Draw
E A
but the stranger drew his gun and fired before he even saw
D
As Billy Joe fell to the floor the crowd all gathered 'round
A
and wondered at his final words
D A
don't take your guns to town son
D A
Leave your guns at home Bill
D A
Don't take your guns to town