1. Cowboys ain't easy to love and they're harder to hold,

2. Cowboys like smokey ol' pool rooms and clear mountain mornings,

1. they'd rather give you a song than diamonds or gold.

2. little warm puppies and children and girls of the night.

1. Lonestar belt buckles and old faded Levi's and each night begins a new day,

2. Them that don't know him won't like him, and them that do sometimes won't know how to take him,

1. if you don't understand him and he don't die young, he'll probably just ride away.

2. he ain't wrong, he's just different but his pride won't let him do the things that make you think he's right.

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

don't let them pick guitars and drive them old trucks, make them 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.