Billy Boy - (NE) 2 versions 1897 Clifton Johnson
[From "What They Say in New England; a book of signs, sayings, and superstitions" by Clifton Johnson, 1897. No place, date or informant named. Johnson adds, "Neither of these versions is like those given in the song collections. In old times, after the usual verses had been sung, the singers, if they were clever, would make up new ones."
R. Matteson 2014]
BILLY BOY
Oh, where have you been, Billy Boy, Billy Boy ?
Oh, where have you been, charming Billy?
I have been to seek a wife,
She's the joy of my life;
But she's a young thing, and cannot leave her ma.
Can she sweep up the house, Billy Boy, Billy Boy?
Can she sweep up the house, charming Billy?
Yes; she can sweep up the house.
Quick's a cat can catch a mouse;
But she's a young thing, and cannot leave her ma.
Can she make mince-pies, Billy Boy, Billy Boy?
Can she make mince-pies, charming Billy?
Yes ; she can make mince-pies With a very few flies;
But she's a young thing, and cannot leave her ma.
Second Version,
Can she make a pumpkin-pie, Billy Boy, Billy Boy?
Can she make a pumpkin-pie, charming Billy?
Yes ; she can make a pumpkin-pie.
Quick's a cat can wink its eye;
And she's a young thing, and cannot leave her mither.
Does she light you up to bed, Billy Boy, Billy Boy?
Does she light you up to bed, charming Billy?
Yes ; she lights me up to bed
With a nightcap on her head ;
And she's a young thing, and cannot leave her mither.
Oh, how old is she, Billy Boy, Billy Boy?
Oh, how old is she, charming Billy?
Twice six, twice seven,
Twice twenty and eleven;
Isn't she the young thing that cannot leave her mither!