Standard (EADGBE)

Mama said,'There's something weird about Billy..

 I looked in his room, his bed wasn't slept in at

 all last night.'

 But Papa said, 'Ah, now, Mama, don't you go talking silly.

 He's just a young boy, he's just sowing his wild oats..

 and that's all right.

 But Mama said, 'No, there's something real strange about

 my Billy.

 The farmer down the road said he lost a few of his sheep

last night.

 I know he's my own flesh and blood but he makes my blood

 run chilly..

 Cause I saw him from my window and he was on the hill

 just screaming at the moonlight.

Chorus

Is it any wonder we hate to see the sun go down?

 And is it any wonder we hate to see the full moon coming around?

So, Papa said, 'I guess there's only one thing to do about Billy.

Hand me down my gun, son..bring along that silver dinner bell.

 But Mama said, 'Papa, I beg you, don't kill him..

 Cause I just couldn't bear to think about my baby in Hell.

But he went down to the blacksmith, got him out of bed and said,

 'Get your fire hot...oh, shut up your shutters and close down

 the doors..We're gonna need all the heat you got.

 Cause I want you to melt my silver bell down to a single shot.

 I got a job to do and I got to get it done before the sun comes up.'

Chorus

Is it any wonder we hate to see the sun go down?

Then we heard a shot and I said, 'Papa got 'im.'

 Then we heard a scream and Mama smiled and said, 'Betcha Billy got him."

 But when I lifted up my eyes, there was Papa in the doorway staring

at the floor.

 And my big brother Billy never did come home, no more.

Chorus

Is it any wonder we hate to see the sun go down?

 And is it any wonder we hate to see the full moon coming around?

A seventies smash from Kraziekhat.