Capo
3
Difficulty
Beginner πΆ
Rate for accuracy
🎸
Performance: Livealbum "Long Story Short: Willie Nelson 90"
Key: F
β« Intro:
G
β« Chorus:
G C
Mamas, don't let your babies grow up to be cowboys
D
Don't let 'em pick guitars or drive them old trucks
G
Let 'em be doctors and lawyers and such
C
Mamas don't let your babies grow up to be cowboys
D
They'll never stay home and they're always alone
G
Even with someone they love
β« Verse 1:
G
Cowboys ain't easy to love
C
And they're harder to hold
D
They'd rather give you a song
G
Than diamonds or gold
G
Lonestar belt buckles and old faded Levis
C
And each night begins a new day
D
If you don't understand him and he don't die young
G
He'll probably just ride away
β« Chorus:
G C
Mamas, don't let your babies grow up to be cowboys
D
Don't let 'em pick guitars or drive them old trucks
G
Let 'em be doctors and lawyers and such
C
Mamas don't let your babies grow up to be cowboys
D
They'll never stay home and they're always alone
G
Even with someone they love
β« Verse 2:
A
Cowboys like smoky old pool rooms
D
And clear mountain mornings
E7
Little warm puppies and children
A
And girls of the night
A
Them that don't know him
A
Won't like him and them that do
D
Sometimes won't know how to take him
E7
He ain't wrong, he's just different
E7
But his pride won't let him
A
Do things to make you think he's right
Out-β« Chorus:
A D
Mamas, don't let your babies grow up to be cowboys
E7
Don't let 'em pick guitars or drive them old trucks
A
Let 'em be doctors and lawyers and such
D
Mamas don't let your babies grow up to be cowboys
E
'Cause they'll never stay home and they're always alone
A
Even with someone they love
E
'Cause they'll never stay home and they're always alone
A
Even with someone they love
Song History
Published: December 18, 2023
Last Updated: February 8, 2026