About the song

Don’t Take Your Guns to Town is a song written and recorded by American singer-songwriter Johnny Cash. It was released in December 1958 as the lead single from his album The Fabulous Johnny Cash. The song tells the story of a young cowboy named Billy Joe, who leaves his home to seek his fortune in a big city. His mother warns him not to take his guns with him, but he ignores her advice. Billy Joe eventually gets into a gunfight and is killed. The song ends with his mother’s lament, “We’ll never have another boy like Billy Joe.”

“Don’t Take Your Guns to Town” was a critical and commercial success. It reached number one on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart and number 14 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The song has been covered by many artists, including Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, and Joan Baez. It has also been used in several films and television shows, including The Big Lebowski and The Sopranos.

The song is a classic example of Cash’s storytelling ability. He paints a vivid picture of Billy Joe and his small-town home. The song’s lyrics are simple but effective, and Cash’s deep, resonant voice delivers them with conviction. “Don’t Take Your Guns to Town” is a powerful and moving song that has stood the test of time.

Here are some of the song’s key themes:

  • The dangers of gun violence: The song’s central message is a warning against the dangers of gun violence. Billy Joe’s death is a direct result of his decision to take his guns with him to town.
  • The importance of family: The song also highlights the importance of family. Billy Joe’s mother loves him dearly and wants to protect him from harm. Her warning to him not to take his guns with him is a reflection of her love and concern.
  • The cost of following your dreams: Billy Joe’s decision to leave home and seek his fortune in a big city is a risky one. He knows that he may never return home, and he is ultimately killed in pursuit of his dreams. The song suggests that there is a price to be paid for following one’s dreams.

“Don’t Take Your Guns to Town” is a powerful and moving song that has stood the test of time. It is a classic example of Cash’s storytelling ability, and its message of peace and non-violence is as relevant today as it was when it was first released.

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Lyrics

A young cowboy named Billy Joe grew restless on the farmA boy filled with wanderlust who really meant no harmHe changed his clothes and shined his bootsAnd combed his dark hair downAnd his mother cried as he walked out
“Don’t take your guns to town, sonLeave your guns at home, BillDon’t take your guns to town”
He laughed and kissed his mom and said, “Your Billy Joe’s a manI can shoot as quick and straight as anybody canBut 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, sonLeave your guns at home, BillDon’t take your guns to town”
He sang a song as on he rode, his guns hung at his hipsHe rode into a cattle town, a smile upon his lipsHe stopped and walked into a bar and laid his money downBut his mother’s words echoed again
“Don’t take your guns to town, sonLeave your guns at home, BillDon’t take your guns to town”
He drank his first strong liquor then to calm his shaking handAnd tried to tell himself at last he had become a manA dusty cowpoke at his side began to laugh him downAnd he heard again his mother’s words
“Don’t take your guns to town, sonLeave your guns at home, BillDon’t take your guns to town”
Filled with rage, then Billy Joe reached for his gun to drawBut the stranger drew his gun and fired before he even sawAs Billy Joe fell to the floor, the crowd all gathered ’roundAnd wondered at his final words
“Don’t take your guns to town, sonLeave your guns at home, BillDon’t take your guns to town”

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