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 gotta hold this piece of ground I need a volunteer to ride out And bring us back some extra men." And Billy's hand was up in a moment Forgetting all the words she said. She said: Billy don't be a hero Don't be a fool with your life I hard 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.