Billy, Don't Be a Hero

                                  The marching 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 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

Forgetting all the words she said. She said:



Billy don't be a hero

Don't be a fool with your life

I hard his fiancee got a letter

That told how Billy died that day

The letter said that he was a hero

She should be proud he died that way

I heard she threw the letter away.