Little Billy- As sung by Odis Bird, Marshall, Arkansas on August 6, 1958;
[From Max Hunter Folk Song Collection online; the last verse is incomplete.
R. Matteson 2011]
LITTLE BILLY - As sung by Odis Bird, Marshall, Arkansas on August 6, 1958
Listen: http://maxhunter.missouristate.edu/songinformation.aspx?ID=160
VERSE 1: Little Billy come over the sea, sea, sea
Litlly Billy come courtin' of me
I taken a part of my Fathers gold
Likewise of my Mothers fee
An' two of the very best horses there
Where's tied thirty and three, three, three
Where's tied thirty and three
VERSE 2: It's you mounted on the bonny black
And me the dappledy gray
We rode till we came to the broad, broad side
The length of a long summer day, day, day
The length of a long summer day
VERSE 3: It's light you down my pretty Polly
It's light you down, said he
I'll end all the promises I made to you
I'll end them all two three, three, three
I'll end them all two three
VERSE 4: It's pull off that long keen costly gown
And lay it upon my knee
For it is a sin and a false of man
A naked woman for to see, see, see
A naked woman for to see
VERSE 5: It's turn yourself all around and about
Your eyes on the leaves of the tree
He turned himself all around and about
Put his eyes on the leaves of the tree
She grabbed him 'round the middle so strong
And tossed him into the sea, sea, sea
And tossed him into the sea
VERSE 6: It's pull me out, you pretty Polly
It's pull me out, says he
It's no lay there, you wicked Willie
In the place of me
For six kings daughters is drowned here
And the seven, seventh shall be, be, be
And seventh, seventh shall be
VERSE 7: She mounted on the bonny black
And led the dappledy gray
She rode till she came to her Fathers house
It were three hours till day, day, day
It were three hours till day
VERSE 8: She put away her Fathers gold
Likewise of her Mothers fee
And two of the very best horses there
Where lie thirty and three, three, three
Where lie thirty and three
VERSE 9: It's where have you been my pretty Polly
Where have you been so long
Shut up your mouth, my pretty parrot
And start no tales on me
I'll have your wings for the pretty green door
Your door for the ivory, ry, ry
Your door for the ivory
VERSE 10: I'll send along for the pretty fair maid
For to drive that scratch cat away, way, way
For to drive that scratch cat away