Billy Boy- Day (CA) pre1939 Cowell LOC REC
[Recorded by Sidney Robertson Cowell in Oakland, California on March 28, 1939. Forms part of a group of field materials documenting Captain William T. Day (Salvation Army) performing Anglo-American songs.
Transcribed by R. Matteson 2014]
Billy Boy- as sung by William T. Day, (performer for Library of Congress), 1939
"Oh, where have you been Billy boy, Billy boy
Where have you been charming Billy?"
"I have been to seek a wife, at the risk of my life
She's a young thing who cannot leave her Mama."
"Can she bake a cherry pie Billy boy, Billy boy
Can she bake a cherry pie charming Billy?"
"She can bake a cherry pie, quick as a cat can wink her eye
She's a young thing who cannot leave her Mama."
"How old is she, Billy boy, Billy boy
How old is she, charming Billy?'
"She's twice six twice seven, twice twenty and eleven
She's young thing who cannot leave her Mama."
The book of ballads - Page 6
MacEdward Leach, ‎Limited Editions Club - 1967
Limited Editions Club
MacEdward Leach The Book of Ballads (1967) p.6
BILLY BOY
"Where have you been, Billy Boy, Billy Boy,
Where have you been, charming Billy?"
"I have been to seek a wife; she's the joy of my life;
She's a young thing and cannot leave her mother.
"Can she bake a cherry pie, Billy Boy, Billy Boy,
Can she bake a cherry pie, charming Billy?"
"She can bake a cherry pie quick 's a cat can wink its eye;
She's a young thing and cannot leave her mother."
"Can she bake a loaf of bread, Billy Boy, Billy Boy,
Can she bake a loaf of bread, charming Billy?"
"She can bake a loaf of bread; it's as heavy as the lead,
She's a young thing and cannot leave her mother."
"How old is she, Billy Boy
How old is she, charming Billy?"
"Twice six, twice seven, twice twenty and eleven,
She's a young thing and cannot leave her mother."