This song is about a young man who was going to dress the part of a gunslinger and go to town. His mother begged him not to do that, knowing the danger he would be in. Of course, he wouldn’t listen and earned his place six feet below.
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”
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
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
The lesson is don’t try and play the part of something you’re not able to perform. Case in point:
And Abner said again to Asahel, “Turn aside from following me. Why should I strike you to the ground? How then could I lift up my face to your brother Joab?”
Asahel didn’t listen either. I pray you are not taking on something that will prove deadly in the end.
Think about it.
Gary