Johnny Cash – Don’t Take Your Guns to Town

About the song

Don’t Take Your Guns to Town is a song written and originally recorded by American country singer 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 Shaver, who leaves his home in the country to go to town. His mother warns him not to take his guns with him, but he ignores her advice. In town, Billy Joe gets into a fight with a local man and is shot and killed. The song ends with Billy Joe’s mother lamenting his death and warning other young men not to make the same mistake.

Don’t Take Your Guns to Town was a critical and commercial success, reaching 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 Kris Kristofferson. It has also been featured in several films and television shows, including The Big Lebowski and The Sopranos.

Don’t Take Your Guns to Town is a classic country song that has stood the test of time. It is a cautionary tale about the dangers of violence and the importance of listening to your elders. The song is also a powerful ballad about the love between a mother and her son.

Here are some of the song’s key themes:

• The dangers of violence: The song is a clear warning about the dangers of violence. Billy Joe’s death is a direct result of his decision to take his guns to town.
• The importance of listening to your elders: Billy Joe’s mother warns him not to take his guns to town, but he ignores her advice. His death is a reminder of the importance of listening to the wisdom of our elders.
• The love between a mother and her son: The song is a powerful ballad about the love between a mother and her son. Billy Joe’s mother is devastated by his death, and her grief is palpable.

Don’t Take Your Guns to Town is a powerful and moving song that has resonated with listeners for generations. It is a song that is both timeless and timely, and its message is as important today as it was when it was first released.

Here are some additional details about the song:

• The song was written by Johnny Cash in 1958.
• It was recorded in Nashville, Tennessee.
• The song was released as the lead single from Cash’s album The Fabulous Johnny Cash.
• 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 Kris Kristofferson.
• It has also been featured in several films and television shows, including The Big Lebowski and The Sopranos.

Video

Lyrics

“Don’t Take Your Guns To Town”

 

A young cowboy named Billy Joe grew restless on the farm
A boy filled with wonderlust 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

[Chorus]
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

[Chorus]
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

[Chorus]
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 mothers words

[Chorus]
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

[Chorus]
Don’t take your guns to town son
Leave your guns at home Bill
Don’t take your guns to town