The marching 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 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 ragin'

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 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 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...