Lyrics:

Mama said, "there's something weird 'bout 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 'bout 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"

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 'bout 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

Oh, so is it any wonder that we Hate to see the sun go down

Then we heard a shot and I said, "Papa got him"
Then we heard a scream and Mama smiled and said, "betcha Billy got em"
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

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