Billy Joe grew farm A boy wanderlust who harm He shined his boots And combed his dark hair down And his he walked out; Refrain: Don't Town, son home, Bill Don't 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; Refrain: 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; Refrain: 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; Refrain: