Billy Don't Be a Hero blue, and "riding out" (cavalry) refer to the American Civil War. However the drum beat and cavalry "riding out" is not specific to the American Civil War, and blue uniforms were common in the 19th century. That being said, Paper Lace themselves performed the song on "Top of the Pops" wearing Union-style uniforms, as can be seen on YouTube. A young woman is distraught that her fiancé chooses to enlist with Army recruiters passing through the town, causing her to implore him: The song goes on to describe how Billy is killed in action in a pitched battle after volunteering
Amanda (Don Williams song) Chris Stapleton covered this song on the 2017 tribute album to Don Williams "Gentle Giants: The Songs of Don Williams". Billy Joe Royal released a version of the song. Amanda (Don Williams song) "Amanda" is a 1973 song written by Bob McDill and recorded by both Don Williams (1973) and Waylon Jennings (1974). "Amanda" was Waylon Jennings's eighth solo number one on the country chart. The single stayed at number one for three weeks on the "Billboard" Hot Country Singles chart. As recorded by Jennings, "Amanda" had been a track on his 1974 album "The Ramblin' Man", but was not