Don't Take Your Guns to Town
Johnny Cash
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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 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 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 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 he had 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 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
Watch: New Singing Lesson Videos Can Make Anyone A Great Singer
Written by: Johnny R. Cash
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
10 facts about this song
Artist BackgroundThe original song "Don't Take Your Guns to Town" was performed by Johnny Cash, a celebrated American singer-songwriter, and was later covered by Irish rock band U2 and American country music singer Willie Nelson.
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Release InformationJohnny Cash released "Don't Take Your Guns to Town" as a single in 1958. It was featured in his third album, "The Fabulous Johnny Cash."
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Chart PerformanceJohnny Cash's original rendition reached No. 1 on the Billboard country singles chart and remained there for six weeks. It also peaked at No. 32 on the pop charts.
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Song Composition"Don't Take Your Guns to Town" is a ballad, and the lyrics tell the story of a young cowboy who ignores his mother's plea not to take his guns to town, resulting in a fatal gunfight.
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Cover VersionsU2 and Willie Nelson are among the renowned artists who have covered "Don't Take Your Guns to Town." U2 performed it during their Vertigo Tour in 2005, while Willie Nelson included a version of the song in his 2000 album "Milk Cow Blues."
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Music VideoFor U2’s cover, a fan-made music video was created which was nominated for multiple awards. The video includes a compilation of live footage from various U2 performances.
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AwardsJohnny Cash's original recording of "Don't Take Your Guns to Town" was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2010, a special Grammy award established in 1973 to honor recordings that are at least twenty-five years old and that have "qualitative or historical significance."
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Social ImpactThe song has often been used to convey anti-violence messages, especially against gun violence, echoing its tragic narrative about a young man's reckless decision leading to his death.
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Cultural InfluenceThe song title has been referenced in various forms of media, including films, books, and TV episodes, reflecting its cultural significance.
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PopularityDespite being released over six decades ago, "Don't Take Your Guns To Town" is still recognized as one of Johnny Cash's most popular songs, and it remains an iconic track in the country music genre.
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Citation
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"Don't Take Your Guns to Town Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 31 Oct. 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/953551/Johnny+Cash/Don%27t+Take+Your+Guns+to+Town>.
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