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 fiancée 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 fiancée 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