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 A cowboy ain't easy to love and they're harder to hold They'd rather give you a song than silver or gold Budwiser buckles and soft faded levis And each night begins a new day If you can't understand him, and he don't die young He'll probably 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 They'll never stay home and they're always alone Even with someone they love A cowboy loves smoky 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's not wrong, he's just different but his pride won't let him Do things to make you think he's right 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 They'll never stay home and they're always alone Even with someone they love