[Verse 1:] 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 crying And through her tears I heard her say [Chorus:] 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 low." Billy, don't be hero Come back to me [Verse 2:] The soldier blues were trapped on a hillside The battle raging all around The sergeant cried, "We've got to hang on, boys! We've got to 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 Forgetting all the words she said [Repeat Chorus:] [Verse 3:] 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