Billy Boy- McClellan (FL) pre1950 Morris
[Folksongs of Florida Morris, 1950, Library of Congress AAFS recording 987 A2. This version is considerably older than 1950 and the second version in this collection with "sweetened pones." Morris' notes follow.
R. Matteson 2014]
That this nursery song, which is sung throughout Florida, has been naturalized is evident in the reference to "sweetened pone," a southern delicacy made of grated sweet potatoes, molasses and spices.
Billy Boy- Mrs. G. S. McClellan, High Springs. She learned this song from her mother who lived in Starke all her life.
"Where have you been, Billy Boy?
Where have you been, charming Billy?"
"I've been to see my wife;
She's the joy of my life;
She's a young thing, too young to leave her mother."
"Did she ask you in, Billy Boy?
Did she ask you in, charming Billy?"
"She asked me in
With dimples in her chin;
She's a young thing, too young to leave her mother."
"Did she ask you to take a chair, Billy Boy?
Did she ask you to take a chair, charming Billy?"
"Yes, she asked me to take a chair
With the wrinkles in her hair;
She's a young thing, too young to leave her mother."
"Can she bake a sweetened pone, Billy Boy?
Can she bake a sweetened pone, charming Billy?"
"She can bake a sweetened pone;
You can eat it or let it alone;
She's a young thing, too young to leave her mother."
"Can she bake a cherry pie, Billy Boy?
Can she bake a cherry pie, charming Billy?"
"Yes, she can bake a cherry pie
Quick as a cat can blink its eye;
She's a young thing, too young to leave her mother."
"Can she make a pair of breeches, Billy Boy?
Can she make a pair of breeches, charming Billy?"
"Yes, she can make a pair of breeches
Just as fast as you can count the stitches;
She's a young thing, too young to leave her mother."
"How old is she, Billy Boy?
How old is she, charming Billy?"
"She is twice six, twice seven,
Twice twenty and eleven;
She's a young thing, too young to leave her mother."