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Billy Don't Be A Hero

by Paper Lace / Bo Donaldson and the Heywoods · tab for chromatic harmonica

No bends321 notesHoles 1–5Chromatic
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This plays the notes in order so you can hear how the tune goes. Tabs don’t record rhythm, so for the timing, listen to the original on YouTube. Tap any note in the tab to start from there.

The tab

4 = blow hole 4-4 = draw hole 4’ = bend< = slide in
The marchin' band came down along main street
The soldier blues fell in behind
I looked across and there I saw Billy
Waiting to go and join the line
And with her head upon-- his shoulder
His young and lovely fiancee
From where I stood I saw she was cryin'
And through her tears I heard her say
Billy, don't be a hero-,
don't be a fool with your life----
Billy--, don't be a hero---,
come back and make me your wife----
And as he started to go--,
She said Billy keep your head low-----
Billy, don't be a he---ro, come back to me-------.
The soldier blues were trapped on a hillside
The battle raging all around
The sergeant cried, We've got to hang on boys!"
We've got to hold this piece of ground
I need a volunteer- to ride up,
And bring us back some extra men,
And Billy's hand was up in a moment
Forgettin' all the words she said
She said
Billy, don't be a hero-,
don't be a fool with your life----
Billy--, don't be a hero---,
come back and make me your wife----
And as he started to go--,
She said Billy keep your head low-----
Billy, don't be a he---ro, come back to me-------.
I heard his fiancee got a letter
That told how Billy died that day
The letter said that he was a hero
She should be proud he died that way
I heard she threw that letter away