Billy Don't Be A Hero - Lyrics - Terry Jacks

The marchin' band came down along Maine 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 raging 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 that he was a hero She should be proud he died that way I heard she threw the letter away