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Version 1 Version 2 Version 3Artist: Johnny Cash Song: Don't Take Your Guns To Town (Capo 1st fret) [Intro] A A [Verse 1] A E A A young cowboy named Billy Joe grew restless on the farm, 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 A Don't take your guns to town." [Verse 2] A E A He laughed and kissed his mom and said, "your Billy Joe's a man. 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] D A "Don't take your guns to town, son. D A Leave your guns at home, Bill. D A Don't take your guns to town." [Verse 3] A E A He sang as on he rode, his guns hung at his hips. 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] D A "Don't take your guns to town, son. D A Leave your guns at home, Bill. D A Don't take your guns to town." [Verse 4] A E A He drank his first strong liquor then to calm his shaking hand, 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] D A "Don't take your guns to town, son. D A Leave your guns at home, Bill. D A Don't take your guns to town." [Verse 5] A E A Filled with rage the Billy Joe reached for his gun to Draw 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: [Chorus] D A "Don't take your guns to town, son. D A Leave your guns at home, Bill. D A Don't take your guns to town."