A young boy named Billy Joe, restless on the farm A boy filled with wanderlust, who never really meant no harm He changed his clothes and he shined his boots And he combed his dark hair down But his mama cried as he walked out: '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 anybody, 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 But 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...' 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 around 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'