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
(I'd Be) A Legend in My Time recorded a second later version which was featured on his 1967 tribute album to Gibson, "Roy Orbison Sings Don Gibson". A 1973 rendition by Sammy Davis Jr. became an Adult Contemporary charts, reaching #33 in Canada and #29 U.S. The song was recorded by Ronnie Milsap and released in November 1974 as the lead single from his album "A Legend in My Time". This was Milsap's sixth country hit and his third number one. The single stayed at number one for a single week and spent a total of ten weeks within the top 40. Milsap's recording altered the song