Billy, Don't Be a Hero

The marchin' band came down along main street

The soldier blues fell in behind

I looked across and there I saw Billy

Waiting to go and join the line

And with her head upon his shoulder

His young and lovely fiancee

From where I stood I saw she was cryin'

And through her tears I heard her say

Billy don't be a hero

Don't be a fool with your life

Billy don't be a hero

Come back and make me your wife

And as Billy started to go

She said keep your pretty head low

Billy don't be a hero come back to me

The soldier blues were trapped on a hillside

The battle ragin' all around

The sergeant cried we've gotta hang on boys

We've gotta hold this piece of ground

I need a volunteer to ride out

And bring us back some extra men

And Billy's hand was up in a moment

Forgettin' all the words she said she said

Billy don't be a hero

Don't be a fool with your life

Billy don't be a hero

Come back and make me your wife

And as Billy started to go

She said keep your pretty head low

Billy don't be a hero come back to me

I heard his fiancee got a letter

That told how Billy died that day

The letter said he was a hero

She should be proud he died that way

I heard she threw the letter away