Billy Boy- Almanac Singers- 1941
[From Songs for John Doe, Almanac Singers, 1101-B (Almanac Records album 102), May 1941. According to Ronald D. Cohen & Dave Samuelson, liner notes for "Songs for Political Action," Bear Family Records BCD 15720 JL, 1996, p. 77: [Pete] Seeger remembers writing "Liza Jane," "Plow Under" and "Billy Boy" with Lee Hays on Helen Simon's apartment floor in early February 1941. [Millard] Lampell. . . claims sole credit for "Billy Boy." Vocals alternate between Lampell and Josh White. (Lyrics from transcription by Manfred Helfert.)
R. Matteson 2014]
BILLY BOY- a parody of Billy Boy, 1941
Don't you want to go to war, Billy Boy, Billy Boy,
Don't you want to win a silver medal?
No desire do I feel
To defend Republic Steel
I'm a young thing, and cannot leave my mother.
Can you use a bayonet, Billy boy, Billy boy?
Can you use a bayonet, charming Billy?
No, I haven't got the skill to murder and to kill,
I'm a young thing, and cannot leave my mother.
Don't you want a silver medal, Billy boy, Billy boy?
Don't you want a silver medal, charlin' [sic] Billy?
No desire do I feel to defend Republic Steel,
I'm a young thing, and cannot leave my mother.
Don't you want to see the world, Billy boy, Billy boy?
Don't you want to see the world, charmin' Billy?
No, it wouldn't be much thrill to die for Dupont in Brazil,
I'm a young thing, and cannot leave my mother.
Girls would like your uniform, Billy boy, Billy boy.
Girls would like your uniform, charlin' [sic] Billy.
They wouldn't get much chance to love me with six feet of earth above me,
I'm a young thing, and cannot leave my mother.
Are you afraid to fight, Billy boy, Billy boy?
Are you afraid to fight, charling [sic] Billy?
You can come around to me when England's a democracy,
I'm a young thing, and cannot leave my mother.
Will they take you from my side, Billy boy, Billy boy?
Will they take you from my side, charming Billy?
Don't you worry, mother dear, I'm a-stayin' over here,
I'm a young thing, and cannot leave my mother.