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 Levi's, and each night begins a new day

If you don't understand him and he don't die young, he'll prob'ly just ride away

Mammas, don't let your babies grow up to be cowboys

Don't let 'em pick guitars or drive them old trucks

Let 'em be doctors and lawyers and such

Mammas, 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 smoky old pool rooms and clear mountain mornings

Little warm puppies and children and girls of the night

And 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

Mammas, don't let your babies grow up to be cowboys

Don't let 'em pick guitars and drive them old trucks

Let 'em be doctors and lawyers and such

Mammas, 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

Mammas, don't let your babies grow up to be cowboys

Don't let 'em pick guitars and drive them old trucks

Let 'em be doctors and lawyers and such