Billy Boy- Stuart/Perkins (KY) 1958 Thomas AFSF
[From: Recording: Folkways, FA 2358, Jean Thomas, 1960 American Folk Song Festival.
R. Matteson 2014]
"Billy Boy" sung by Donnie Stewart and Terry Perkins at the American Folk Song Festival, Kentucky, 1958.
"Oh, where have you been Billy boy, Billy boy
Where have you been charming Billy?"
"Oh, I've been to see my wife; she's the joy of my life
She's a young thing who cannot leave her momma."
"Did she ask you to come in Billy boy, Billy boy
Did she ask you to come in charming Billy?"
"Yes, she asked me to come in, With the dimples in her shin [1]
She's a young thing who cannot leave her momma."
"Can she bake a cherry pie Billy boy, Billy boy
Can she bake a cherry pie charming Billy?"
"She can bake a cherry pie; as fast as you can wink your eye
She's a young thing who cannot leave her momma."
Can she make a pair of britches Billy boy, Billy boy
Can she make a pair of britches charming Billy
She can make a pair of britches; as fast as you can count the stitches
She's a young thing who cannot leave her momma.
How tall is she Billie Boy, Billie Boy,
How tall is she charming Billie?
She's as tall as any pine; and straight as a punkin vine,
She's a young thing who cannot leave her momma.
"How old is she Billy boy, 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 momma."
1. chin-- ha ha!