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 he started to go she said "Billy, keep your 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 "Billy, keep your head lo-o-ow" "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 that letter away