Steve Earle(born January 17, 1955) is a singer-songwriterbest known for his countrymusic and rock 'n roll tinged " alt-country." He is also a published writer, a keen political activist (particularly in protesting against the death penalty in the U.S., as in his song "Ellis Unit One" from the movie Dead Man Walking), and has written and directed a play. Born in Hampton, Virginia, legend has it that a box of Texas dirt, sent by his grandfather, was brought into the delivery room, so that it could be said that the first soil Earle's feet ever touched was Texan. He moved around the U.S. with his parents, before dropping out of school in the 8th grade and heading to Houston, Texas, to explore a career in music. In 1975, he moved to Nashville and worked as a songwriter.
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Don’t Take Your Guns To Town Lyrics
Steve Earle
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
Dont take your guns to town.
Son, leave your guns at home.
Bill, dont take your guns to town.
He laughed and kissed his mom and said your billy joes a man.
I can shoot as quick and straight as anybody can.
But I wouldnt shoot without a cause, Id gun nobody down.
But she cried again as he rode away,
Dont take your guns to town.
Son, leave your guns at home.
Bill, dont 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 mothers words echoed again,
Dont take your guns to town.
Son, leave your guns at home.
Bill, dont take your guns to town.
He drank his first strong liquor then, to calm his shaking hand.
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 mothers words:
Dont take your guns to town.
Son, leave your guns at home.
Bill, dont 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,
Dont take your guns to town.
Son, leave your guns at home.
Bill, dont take your guns to town.