AmThe marching band came Ddown along mainstreet,
GThe soldier blues fell in behind.
AmI looked across and Dthere I saw Billy,
Em Waiting to go and G join the line.
AmAnd with her head Dupon his shoulder,
AmHis young and lovely Dfiancee.
AmFrom where I stood I Dsaw she was crying,
AmAnd through her tears I Dheard her say:
GBilly don't be a hero, Don?t be a Amfool with your life.
Am7Billy don't be a hero, Come back and Gmake me your wife.
And as GBilly started to G7 go,
She said Am "Keep your pretty head Cm low."
G Billy don't be a D hero, Come back to G me.
Am The soldier blues were D trapped on a hillside,
G The battle raging all around.
Am The sergeant said "We've D got to hang on boys.
Em We've go to hold this G piece of ground.
AmI need a D volunteer to ride up,
AmAnd bring us back some D extra men."
AmAnd Billy's hand was D up in a moment,
AmForgetting all the D words she said??
Am I heard his fiancee D got a letter,
G Saying how Billy died that day.
AmThe letter said that D he was a hero,
Em She should be proud he G died that way.
EmI heard she threw the Dletter Gaway.
And as the Gmailman started to G7go,
He said "AmKeep your pretty head Cm low."
G Billy don't be a D hero, Come back to G me.