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 he started to go she said "Keep your pretty head lo-o-ow" "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 got to hang on, boys" "We got to hold this piece a\'ground" "I need a volunteer to ride up" "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 he started to go she said "Keep your pretty head lo-o-ow" "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 that letter away