DONT TAKE YOUR GUNS TO TOWN 
JOHNNY CASH 

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A young cowboy named Billy Joe, grew restless on 
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the farm. 
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A boy filled with wanderlust, who really meant no 
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harm. 
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He changed his clothes, and shined his boots, and 
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combed his dark hair down. 
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And his mother cried as he walked out: 

(Refrain) 
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Dont take your guns to town, son. 
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Leave your guns at home, Bill. 
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Dont take your guns to town. 

He laughed and kissed his ma and said your Billy 
Joes a man. 
I can shoot as quick and straight as anybody can. 
But I wouldnt shoot without a cause Id gun nobody 
down. 
But she cried again as he rode away. 
(Refrain) 
Dont take your guns to town, son. 
Leave your guns at home, Bill. 
Dont take your guns to town. 

He sang a 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. 
And his mothers words echoed again: 
(Refrain) 

He drank his first strong liqour then to calm his 
shaking hand 
And tried to tell himself at last he had become a man 
A dusty cowpoke at his side began to laugh him down. 
And he heard again his mothers words 
(Refrain) 

Bill was raged and Billy Joe reached for his guns 
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 
(Refrain)