PAPER LACE - Billy Don´t Be A Hero (1974) -HQ video-

70s Nr.1 hit! Vid by me!
The marching band came down along main street.
The soldier blues fell in behind
I looked across and there I saw Billy
Waiting to go and join the line
And with her head upon his shoulder
His young and lovely fiancée
From where I stood I saw she was cryin'
And through her tears I heard her say:
Billy don't be a hero
Don't be a fool with your life.
Billy don't be a hero "Come back and make me your wife"
And as Billy started to go she said "Keep your pretty head low"
Billy don't be a hero "Come back to me"
The soldier blues were trapped on a hillside.
The battle ragin' all around
The sergeant cried "We've gotta hang on boys
We gotta hold this piece of ground
I need a volunteer to ride out
And bring us back some extra men."
And Billy's hand was up in a moment
Forgetting all the words she said. She said:
Billy don't be a hero
Don't be a fool with your life.
Billy don't be a hero "Come back and make me your wife"
And as Billy started to go she said "Keep your pretty head low"
Billy don't be a hero "Come back to me"
I heard his fiancée got a letter
That told how Billy died that day
The letter said that he was a hero
She should be proud he died that way
I heard she threw the letter away

[@Momcat_maggiefelinefan]

Gave me goose bumps! Haven’t heard this song in ages … so glad I was there to experience the 60’s and 70’s. Old hippies never die. We just look like we might have … 🇨🇦🖖🏻🇨🇦

[@grannyannie2948]

My father was called Billy (William). Every time I heard the song as a little girl I thought he would die. Australian men were conscripted as well. The real bravery was my uncles who faced the draft at that time and kept telling me it was about the American civil war.

[@sarahinasi1127]

My grandad was the drummer in the band

[@shauncupit1968]

Cool 👍

[@FloridaWildlife]

A great drummer at that Sarah, Very cool. Be proud. God bless him:)

[@rupitamber6078]

Your Grandad was the Hero that day. One of the songs that you will never ever forget.

[@JuliaClark]

Thank you for your grandfather. This song is important to me.

[@tennissport4318]

Thanks your grandad for this loving song

[@sundarmann6167]

Lyrics that tell a story-70s are indeed the pinnacle for music

[@annettelacey7913]

100% best era of music the 1970s

[@user-vq9bi8iv9b]

Your grandad was an amazing drummer the band were a class act I sing this song on karaoke fabulous song x

[@catherinebrodie3067]

Beautiful old song brings back lots of memories from the 70s I'm 67 & I still love hearing this song.❤♥️

[@johnmoran5461]

It feels like a million years since I heard this little gem. God, i feel old. Can't take away the great memories, though 👴........👀

[@SashyGryphyth]

I was very young when I first heard this song. Eventually old enough to really hear the words, but still very young, I actually remember it made me cry. Even then I could understand the cost of a life and value of love. I can feel my inner child remember. I have been so very fortunate in my life, and this isn't lost on me. This song is timeless. It keeps going to keep showing aspects of our humanity we shouldn't forget, lest we lose ourselves entirely. We will have to reconcile these aspects eventually.

[@donnashore5910]

another great song by Paperlace that actually tells a story like The Night Chicago Died..oh how happy to hear this again..first time I was 20, now I am 62!! Woo Hoo!! Can't beat the songs of the 60's and 70's!!

[@GavinMaGrath]

Are you still around? I heard the night Chicago died about 60 times in my life and never heard of Paper Lace! Being a music buff of sorts, that stunned me. I also didn't know they did Billy don't be a hero.

[@philipnorris6542]

Keep on rocking, Donna.

[@jackiesharp669]

Your granddad was a great drummer in a absolutely fabulous band,and what deep and beautiful lyrics.

[@sarahdouglas9119]

It’s crazy… Something reminded me of this song when I was working… So thought to myself, “I’ll play the song after work.”

[@albertodf1234]

2022 and still loving this true classic

[@ilonajurecska2503]

Yes!🌟

[@Briellen_Mellott]

Bo Donaldson and the Heywoods had the hit of this song in the USA.

[@paulfoskett1519]

My Mum used to sing this to my Dad Billy, when ever he went off to work. His job was a danger every day...

[@juanvela9665]

Hope your dads doing just fine today and always ✊🏼🙏🏼

[@bobbov8277]

That's beautiful.

[@BobAt101]

Love this band and this song , I have it on vinyl from the 70's but cannot play it don't have a record player, but the video's are great.

[@michelleayotte2364]

When ever I hear this song I think of my maternal great grandfather, who fought in the Civil War . He never spoke of it afterwards, except once when he told my mother, "Death. Death, dying, and suffering every where."

[@juliereminiec4937]

Would that be your great great grandfather who fought in the Civil War ?

[@michelleayotte2364]

​@@juliereminiec4937Nope. Great grandfather. Thanks to being born to the third generation of late in life parents .

[@briancrawford7981]

​@michelleayotte2364 so obviously your mom would be or is 115 years old or something close to that? Civil war ended 159 years ago.

[@michelleayotte2364]

@@briancrawford7981 No. She's over 90, is all I'll say. She was over 40 when she had me, her mother was over 40 when she had her, and my great grandmother was over 40 when she had my grandmother. My great grandfather was older than her. And I was almost the 2nd oldest late in life mother in my mom's side of the family.

[@oldtimeycabins]

I was 6 years old when this came out. Love it forever!!!!

[@badhabit3737]

I was 8..🤣

[@mrtoptenatten]

That ma makes you 54....same as me

[@mrtoptenatten]

Your my age...54😀

[@annettelacey7913]

I was 5, love this song ,my dad always played it,

[@juliewheatley8411]

What a classic loved it when I was a kid . One sing I can never ever have enough of

[@melissatate8964]

played this my childrens father before he left for desert storm.he loved it

[@johnrooney1749]

Thank you for his services. John Rooney st Anne's Lancashire uk

[@michaelbutcher3563]

This band really hit the deck running. First heard this track on TOTP, it was in the charts next week and went right to number one and stayed there for ages. And i learnt the words to it and sung it on karaoke in pubs. Would still do that now

[@MandyAbram]

Going to be played at my funeral!!

[@RobertLat-bw7kz]

That's great Sara

[@eddiebenzz]

Simply Beautiful Nostalgia ! 70’s were my favorite ❤️

[@leahredwood6921]

I loved this song. Turned 13 the year this came out. My middle school playlist💖

[@juliereminiec4937]

I was 11

[@leahredwood6921]

@@juliereminiec4937 isn't it a great song?

[@waynedunn1108]

great 70s track still stands up

[@juanhinojosa7727]

I remember singing along to this song all the time. One of the few songs I actually learned the words to.

[@barbaramatthews4735]

it was my very first record. Imagine this, I was only 6! what a heavy song for a little girl... but it was my favorite..until I heard "Hungry Like a Wolf" later when i became a teen then all the Duran Duran posters went up on my bedroom wall.

[@FloridaWildlife]

Cool and ty, Duran Duran rocked the 80's and that was my fav too!

[@glennfromel5711]

You had better taste at 6 yrs.

[@tbradley2317]

I didn't understand the concept of the lyrics because I was just 5 and we weren't allowed to talk about the battles of WWII that my grandfather fought in, just like I didn't understand "The Night Chicago Died" which is on the flip side of this 45 that I got for my birthday in 1974 but as a kid I liked the arrangements and the rhythms and the harmonies of pop music at the time. Oh and Rio and The Reflex and Take the Dice were much better than Hungry Like the Wolf. ;-)

[@barbaramatthews4735]

@@tbradley2317 Music is for everyone. We all like something a little different...I'm only a couple of years older than you. We are close enough to have a lot of the same music experiences. I grew up listening to every kind of music. My family had me listening to Jimmy Rodgers, Diana Ross, Andrews Sisters, Kenny Rodgers, The Supremes, Bob Marley, Lewis Arm Strong, Pat Benatar, Led Zeplin and anything. I like good music and it can come from anywhere. I really enjoy songs that tell a story. I also like it when the musicians can play well even when there are no lyrics. I do admit most song u like has lyrics, but there are a few I like that are instrumental.

[@robertdorans1124]

Great song but I wonder how many millions and millions of people have said the same thing over the years and will still be saying it in the years to come

[@joannedunbar1896]

This brings back some lovely memories of my childhood 😊

[@marymcgailey9007]

Love this, memories of us in our 20s

[@eugeniopannozzo4217]

I love the 70s

[@TheManjha]

My siblings and I used to sing this in the back of the pickup when we were kids along with the night Chicago died

[@johnrooney1749]

To all service personnel served in northern Ireland 1969 and my best mate pembos RRF 3RD BATT cancer took him sadly thank lads. John Rooney st Anne's Lancashire uk he did 5tours northern Ireland bandit country.

[@susiflorence6960]

Really Catchy. But what missed back 😕 then..in my innocence..was the reference to war....

[@indigowolf556]

We had interesting songs back in the '70s. I remember singing along with this song

[@nickkelly3756]

Loved this song

[@HollyOak]

Very first song I owned. I was 7 and begged my mother for 3 weeks to buy it for me.

[@sophieward7415]

I'm 24 and I've grew up with this song ☺️

[@kimlefebvre9728]

❤❤❤I love this song easy to sing with them

[@donpaterson9159]

What a Great Blast From the Past - !!! - ... reminds me of returning from a High School Excursion with everyone singing along 2 this on the radio & mix cassette tape up the back of the xcursion bus & the whole bus joining in - !!! - all the way from Mittagong, NSW back 2 Canberra, ACT 🇦🇺 Australia - !!! Other hits on the same mix tape were Gordon Lightfoot's "Sundown" & Checkmate's "Your Move" - !!! We sang thise 2 but "Billy Don't Be A Hero" was the most popular, catchy & sung til we earwormed it 4 Life - !!! - Don "Wingco" Paterson , Sunshine Coast QLD Australia 🇦🇺

[@terrydougan8173]

Still play the original vinyl my old schoolfreind gave me in 1974 Sandra Ganf it still has her name on the sleeve in my top ten ever

[@McSynth]

Wow. What a beautifully produced video. Congrats !

[@DanieldeBavaria]

This song is just fantastic. In my 30ies now and glad that my dad played it a lot when I was young, still listen to it.

[@philipnorris6542]

R.I.P. Cliff from the band.

[@Poowoodly]

Gran loved this song in remembrance of our lost

[@catherineprior8319]

Loved it the first time I heard this song and never tire of it just like the night Chicago died . Next stop (if it hasn't been done yet) is the Rocknroll hall of fame !!!

[@cynthiaellis4637]

Beautiful music and And Wonderful Movie

[@johnward8915]

I was at school with bass guitarist cliff fish. We once went carol singing together with josie brown, Theresa burt, vincent eyre and Colin cheetham in 1966.

[@barryjacobs8524]

Wow your grandad. Great band. Your grandad I hear him now. Lovely memories❤

[@alisoncauser2955]

Billy don't be a hero by paper lace, a band from Nottingham UK is a great song. They were a one hit wonder with maybe 2 songs that hit the charts.

[@davidhutchison1998]

Wouldn't that make them a two hit wonder?

[@Joellarainbow]

Always gets stuck in my head

[@keithplunk6611]

Didn't know they cut this 1st in the UK. Always liked The Night Chicago Died too. They should have redone Snoopy vs The Red Baron by the Royal Guardsmen. Look how many times people recut VENUS by Shocking Blue! Oh well, think I will go have some cornflakes! Love those old silly tunes. 🤪

[@tonyfrost4420]

Well done Berty! The original recording of this doesn't seem to be available elsewhere. keep up the good work, mate!

[@FredPickett]

I use to have this on a 45 record.

[@mrtoptenatten]

1974.....grest times

[@scoutmockingbird3833]

Excellent. Thankyou :)

[@georgefleblanc1]

great song among many for paperlace "billy don't be a hero". I enjoyed paperlace as long as I could remember, I grew uph them (paperlace).

[@scouseronthewirral]

Peaked at #1 in U.K. on 10 March 1974

[@RobertLat-bw7kz]

Cafe on 61 and I agree

[@jamesturrell3003]

This was played at Foxhall Stadium Ipswich when the late Billy Sanders won a race (Speedway Rider) he passed away today 35yrs ago age 29yrs

[@nickvegas2459]

The first album I bought.

[@chelsyholland790]

This song reminds me of my grandad, an Irish hussar, Burma star brigade and POW of Korea.

[@juliereminiec4937]

This song reminds me of my grandfather who fought during WWI

[@Derwentcub]

Best version at a time when singles in the top three of the UK charts seemed to be about death - this one, 'Terry Jacks -Seasons In The Sun', Hot Chocolate - 'Emma' - Summer of 1974.

[@stratusboubou]

don't forget the most beautiful girl in the world . emma emmeline .

[@juliereminiec4937]

I can't handle listening to Seasons in the sun ,it reminds me of my cousin who died of Alcohol Poisoning

[@RussellMarsh1967]

ahhhh so long ago

[@stratusboubou]

1974 - la vie était belle ! i was at perth scone aerodrome (EGPT) at the air service training and every friday evening at Dundee tiffany's in the titi's car .

[@Metalhead4EVR]

Bo Donaldson and The Heywoods had a hit wirh this song too.

[@billybrockell9536]

Lpve this somg my childhood years my name is Billy

[@tracycorbett1331]

Nothing like a FB argument win! I told a group I’m in that Paperlace did this song ( not just Bo Donaldson and the Haywood’s)

[@roncondon1475]

Another band recorded this song before Paper Lace.

[@karenhunter6980]

wat a tune ❤

[@annettemurray7989]

fantastic glad it fresh 40 yrs again,,,opps now i showing my age ,,but this ageless ..

[@shauncupit1968]

Same as me young at heart

[@SimonFirth]

R.I.P Cliff Fish

[@TamasSzabo-ql6wf]

Az elmult evek soran egyetlen egy P Lace lemezt talaltam a boltokban. Azt pedig en vettem meg. Az Arkadban találtam 2004 Ben

[@bigdaddy501]

I never heard this version, only from the Heywoods.

[@hoover517]

Heywoods was a cover.

[@GK-ji3pm]

I remember leaving for the first gulf War from NYC to go over seas and a guy was holding a sign that said " Billy, be a hero!"....it was 1990..no shit! I laughed .

[@rickieturner4070]

So was my granddad he was drummer in the band

[@joylapine9004]

A sad song. 😢

[@cindymiller6008]

Well said, sir

[@jaymmzzs]

miss u

[@GlorifiedTruth]

"Want younger looking eyes?" Great commercial!

[@milxx_god231]

Son grupo o banada no se pero me encantan y los amo son fascinantes

[@DebbieYusek-vm6ws]

don't be a hero

[@tonycanabal1659]

I heard this version in "Priscilla,Queen of the Desert".I thought it was a cover at first.

[@kevinnelson66]

This should be included in the Guardians Of the Galaxy Volume 3 soundtrack.

[@xxuncexx]

I like the benefits and prestige. not that i feel above at all but its just nice to know you did it. build confidence perhaps

[@SDChargersFreak]

Thrash metal classic right here.

[@blitzkrieg2325]

Sad I am so sad

[@georgefleblanc1]

Happy Pearl Harbor day 2022 it's december 7th again. later "The Paper Lace Group", your fan George LeBlanc Jr.🗽

[@TamasSzabo-ql6wf]

Így kellene csinálni a többi eloadonal is. Tehát az előadó nevét kellene nagybetűvel feltüntetni a többi számnál is.

[@tamar5261]

I've always loved the girls voice, who was she?

[@jackiereamy4871]

☮️

[@beegeesarethegreates]

Any one can be a civil war re enactor.Just contact your local sons of confederate veterans and they will guide you to this fun hobby.A biker lives for the day he rides with a hundred other riders(Yea!this is what i live for!).A re enactor on the battle field with a hundred other re enactors in the heat of battle,cannons going off,confederate battle flag waving fervently,Yeaaaaa this is what I live for!Rebel Yell.(also anyone can get the SCV tag for their vehicle.)

[@FloridaWildlife]

He sounds like Bobby Sherman

[@RobertLat-bw7kz]

No you can't donate that's true

[@BETTERWORLDSGT]

I remember when this was on the Radio all the time. I had their Album that year!

[@danielpseery6861]

Bo Donaldson and the heywood had a more popular version released the same year

[@hugotahell]

Dewey Cox brought me here.

[@debraodonnell]

This is on my playlist first fell in love with this song at 9 still love this all these years later

[@michaeldale8004]

who was the female singer on this song ?

[@fitness4curves804]

🔊🧿

[@RichardPearce-mc1op]

Do y'all take request.