Don't take your guns to town son...
He drank his first strong liquor then to calm his shaking hand
And he tried to tell himself at last he'd become a man
A dust cowpoke at his side began to laugh him down
And he heard again his mother's words
Don't take your guns to town son...
Bill was raged and 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...