Billy, Don't Be a Hero

The marching band came (C7)down along Main street,

(F)the soldier blues fell in behind.

(Gm)I looked across and (C7)there I saw (F)Billy,

waiting to go and join the line.

(Gm)And with her head (C7)upon his shoulder,

(Gm)his young and lovely (C7)fiancée,

(Gm)from where I stood I (C7)saw she was crying,

(Gm)and through her tears I (C)heard her say;

She said, (F)Billy, don't be a (Fmaj7)hero,

don't be a (Gm)fool with your life.

(C7)Billy, don't be a hero, come back and (F)make me your wife."

And as they started to go

(F7)she said, (Bb)"Billy, keep your head (Bbm)low.

(F)Billy, don't be a (Bb)hero, (C7)come back to (F)me."

(Gm)The soldier blues were (C7)trapped on a hill side,

(F)the battle raging all around.

(Gm)The sergeant cried, "We've (C7)got to hang on,

boys, (F)we've got to hold this piece of ground.

(Gm)I need a (C7)volunteer to ride up (Gm)and bring us back some (C7)extra men."

(Gm)And Billy's hand was (C7)up in a moment,

(Gm)forgetting all the (C)words she said.

She said, (F)Billy, don't be a (Fmaj7)hero,

don't be a (Gm)fool with your life.

(C7)Billy, don't be a hero, come back and (F)make me your wife."

And as they started to go

(F7)she said, (Bb)"Billy, keep your head (Bbm)low.

(F)Billy, don't be a (Bb)hero, (C7)come back to (F)me."

(Gm7)I heard she threw that letter (F)away.