Johnny Cash - Don't Take Your Guns To Town Lyrics Meaning

It is a song about having wisdom, or a lack thereof. Bill's mom had wisdom enough to know that there were circumstances which her son could not comprehend. Nonetheless, he did not listen and remained sure that he would never be tempted to use his guns in an offensive way and that otherwise, he could shoot as "quick and straight" as anyone else. He then finds himself in a bar, getting insulted, and goes to pull his gun, "and before he even saw" the other guy pulls his gun first, shoots and ultimately kills him. His final words are his mom's advice "don't take guns to town."