Tom: A Intro: A A A A (Pick The Bass Note On Beat 1 And 3. No Strumming) A E A A young cowboy named Billy Joe grew restless on the farm A E A A boy filled with wanderlust who really meant no harm D He changed his clothes and shined his boots and combed his dark hair down A And his mother cried as he walked out... Chorus: D A "Don't take your guns to town, son D A Leave your guns at home, Bill... D D(strum) A* A (Pause) Don't take your guns to town." (Start Playing Alternating Bass Rhythm At The Asterisk, And Continue To The End Of The Song) A E A He laughed and kissed his mom and said, "Your Billy Joe's a man. A E A I can shoot as quick and straight as anybody can, D But I wouldn't shoot without a cause, I'd gun nobody down." A But she cried again as he rode away... Chorus (Slowly): D A "Don't take your guns to town, son D A Leave your guns at home, Bill... NC D A (Pause) Don't take your guns to town." (Resume Full Tempo) A E A He sang a song as on he rode, his guns hung at his hips. A E A He rode into a cattle town, a smile upon his lips. D He stopped and walked into a bar and laid his money down, A But his mother's words echoed again... **Chorus A E A He drank his first strong liquor then to calm his shaking hand A E A And tried to tell himself at last he had become a man. D A dusty cowpoke at his side began to laugh him down A And he heard again his mother's words... **Chorus A E A Bill was raged and Billy Joe reached for his gun to draw, A E A But the stranger drew his gun and fired before he even saw. D As Billy Joe fell to the floor the crowd all gathered 'round, A And wondered at his final words... Final Chorus: D A "Don't take your guns to town, son D A Leave your guns at home, Bill...(pause) (Pause) D D(Strum) A E A E A E A... Don't take your guns to town.