[Verse 1]
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 and he don't die young
He'll probably just ride away, yeah

[Chorus]
So, mamas, don't let your babies grow up to be cowboys, yeah
Don't let 'em pick guitars and 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

[Verse 2]
Cowboys like smoky old pool rooms and clear mountain mornings
Little warm puppies and children and girls of the night
Men that don't know him won't like him
And men 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, right

[Chorus]
So, mamas, don't let your babies grow up to be cowboys
Don't let 'em pick guitars and drive them old trucks
Make 'em be doctors and lawyers and such
Mamas don't let your cowboys grow up to be babies (I meant what I said)
'Cause they'll never stay home and they're always alone
Even with someone they love
Yeah, they'll never stay home and they're always alone
Even with someone they love
[Outro]
Happy birthday, Willie
Burn one for me tonight