Billie Boy- (KY) 1916 Wyman and Brockway
[From Lonesome Tunes: Folk songs from the Kentucky Mountains by Howard Brockway, Loraine Wyman; 1916, with music arranged by Brockway. No informant, exact location or date is given.
R. Matteson 2014]
Billie Boy
I
"Where are you going, Billie Boy, Billie Boy
Where are you going charming Billie?"
"I am going to see my wife
At the pleasure of my life,
She's a young thing cannot leave her mother."
II
'Can she bake a cherry pie Billie Boy, Billie Boy
Can shoe bake a cherry pie charming Billie?"
"She can bake a cherry pie
As quick as a cat can wink her eye,
She's a young thing cannot leave her mother."
Ill
Can she sweep up a house Billie Boy, Billie Boy
Can she sweep up a house charming Billie?"
"She can sweep up a house
As quick as a cat can catch a mouse,
She's a young tiling cannot leave her mother."
IV
"Can she bake a pone of broad Billie Boy, Billie Boy
Can she bake a pone of bread charming Billie?"
"She can bake a pone of bread
Between the oven and the lid,
She's a young thing cannot leave her mother."
V
"Can she make up a bed Billie Boy, Billie Boy
Can she make up a bed charming Billie?"
"She can make up a bed
Seven feet above her head,
She's a young thing cannot leave her mother."
VI
"How tall is she Billie Boy, Billie Boy
How tall is she charming Billie?"
"She's as tall as any pine
And as straight as pumpkin vine,
She's a young thing cannot leave her mother."
VII
"How old is she Billie Boy, Billie Boy
How old is she charming Billie?"
"Twice six, twice seven
Twice twenty and eleven,
She's a young thing cannot leave her mother."