Billy Boy- Devlin (NY) 1879 Newman
[From: Never Without a Song, Newman, 1995. As sung by Jeannie Devlin (1865-1952).
R. Matteson Jr. 2014]
Billy Boy- Sung by Jeannie Devlin
"O, where have you been, Billy Boy, Billy Boy?
O, where have you been, charming Billy?"
"I've been to see my wife,
She's the joy of my life,
But she's a young thing and can't leave her mommy."
"Can she make a cherry pie, Billy Boy, Billy Boy?
Can she make a cherry pie, charming Billy?"
"Yes, she can bake a cherry pie,
Quick as cat can wink an eye,
But she's a young thing and can't leave her mommy."
"Can she make a feather bed, Billy Boy' Billy Boy?
Can she make a feather bed, charming Billy?"
"She can make a feather bed
Quick as cat can shake her head,
But she's a young thing and can't leave her mommy."
"Can she make your wedding shirt, Billy Boy, Billy Boy?
Can she make your wedding shirt, charming Billy?"
"She can make a wedding shirt,
She can do it in a jerk,
But she's a young thing and can't leave her mommy."
"How old is she, Billy Boy, Billy Boy?
How old is she, charming Billy?"
Twice six, twice seven,
Twice twenty and eleven,
But she's a young thing and can't leave her mommy."