v.1
Cowboys ain't easy to love an' they're harder to hold
They'd rather give you a song than diamonds or gold
Lonestar belt buckle and old faded Levis, each night begins a new day
If you don't understand him, he won't die young
He'll probably just ride away

Chorus:
Mamas, don't let your babies grow up to be cowboys
Don't let 'em pick guitars an' drive them ol' trucks
Let [Make] 'em be doctors an' lawyers an' 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

v.2 [Key Ch.]
Cowboys like smokey ol' pool rooms an clear mountain mornin's
Little warm puppies, an' children' an' 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