What does Don't Take Your Guns To Town mean?

Johnny Cash: Don't Take Your Guns To Town Meaning

Tagged: Murder [suggest]
Album cover for Don't Take Your Guns To Town album cover

Song Released: 1959


Don't Take Your Guns To Town Lyrics

A young cowboy named Billy Joe grew restless on the farm
A boy filled with wanderlust 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...

  1. anonymous
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    Aug 21st 2020 !⃝

    It is a song about having wisdom, or a lack thereof. Bill's mom had wisdom enough to know that there were circumstances which her son could not comprehend. Nonetheless, he did not listen and remained sure that he would never be tempted to use his guns in an offensive way and that otherwise, he could shoot as "quick and straight" as anyone else. He then finds himself in a bar, getting insulted, and goes to pull his gun, "and before he even saw" the other guy pulls his gun first, shoots and ultimately kills him. His final words are his mom's advice "don't take guns to town."

  2. anonymous
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    Feb 6th 2020 !⃝

    Don’t go around looking for a fight because you will end up like Billy Joe.

  3. anonymous
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    May 24th 2016 !⃝

    He was warned not to get into a gunfight in town/dont show off his guns but he did and was killed.


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