About the song
Story:
- The song follows a young cowboy named Billy Joe, restless on his farm and yearning for adventure.
- His mother begs him not to take his guns when he decides to head out and explore.
- Despite her pleas, Billy Joe arrives in a frontier town, guns blazing, and trouble ensues.
Themes:
- The song explores the dangers of violence and recklessness, particularly in the Wild West setting.
- It highlights the tension between youthful rebellion and a mother’s worry.
- The consequences of Billy Joe’s actions serve as a cautionary tale.
Musical Style:
- Classic Johnny Cash sound – deep baritone vocals accompanied by a simple guitar and bass line.
- The stark arrangement emphasizes the seriousness of the lyrics.
Impact:
- Released in 1958, the song became a hit for Cash and helped solidify his image as “The Man in Black.”
- “Don’t Take Your Guns to Town” is considered a powerful anti-violence ballad and a staple of Cash’s repertoire.
Video
Lyrics
A young cowboy named Billy Joe grew restless on the farm
A boy filled with wanderlust who really meant no harm
He changed his clothes and shined his boots
And combed his dark hair down
And his mother cried as he walked out
“Don’t take your guns to town, son
Leave your guns at home, Bill
Don’t take your guns to town”
He laughed 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 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
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 drank his first strong liquor 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 mother’s words
“Don’t take your guns to town, son
Leave your guns at home, Bill
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 ’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”