as sung by Willie Nelson – Key of D
Cowboys ain’t easy to love and they’re harder to hold. They’d rather give you a song than diamonds or gold. Lonestar belt buckles and old faded levis, and each night begins a new day. If you don’t understand him, an’ he don’t die young, he’ll prob’ly just ride away
Mamas, don’t let your babies grow up to be cowboys. Don’t let ’em pick guitars or drive them old trucks, make ’em be doctors and lawyers and such. Mamas don’t let your babies grow up to be cowboys, ’cause they’ll never stay home and they’re always alone, even with someone they love.
Cowboys like smokey old pool rooms, and clear mountain mornings. Little warm puppies and children and girls of the night. Them that don’t know him won’t like him, and them that do sometimes won’t know how to take him. He ain’t wrong, he’s just different but his pride won’t let him do things to make you think he’s right
[Verse]
D D7 G
A long time forgotten are dreams that just fell by the way
A7 D
The good life he promised ain’t what she’s living today
D D7 G
But she never complains of the bad times or bad things he’s done, Lord
A7 D
She just talks about the good times they’ve had and all the good times to
come
[Chorus]
D D7 G
She’s a good-hearted woman in love with a good-timin’ man
A7 D
She loves him in spite of his ways that she don’t understand
D D7 G
Through teardrops and laughter, they’ll pass through this world hand-in-hand,
A7 D
A good-hearted woman loving her good timing man
[Verse 2]
E A
Cowboys like smokey ol’ pool rooms and clear mountain mornings
B E
Little warm puppies, and children, and girls of the night
E A
Them that don’t know him won’t like him and them that do sometimes won’t know how to take him
B
He ain’t wrong, he’s just different but his pride won’t let him
E
Do the things to make you think he’s right
[Chorus]
E A
Mammas don’t let your babies grow up to be cowboys
B
Don’t let ’em pick guitars and drive them old trucks
E
Let ’em be doctors and lawyers and such
E A
Mammas don’t let your babies grow up to be cowboys
B
They’ll never stay home and they’re always alone
E
Even with someone they love
