The Almanac Singers was a … Read Full Bio ↴The preferred name is The Almanac Singers
The Almanac Singers was a group of American folk musicians that achieved brief popularity in the early 1940s. Members Millard Lampell, Lee Hays, Pete Seeger, and Woody Guthrie began playing together informally after Seeger and Hays had been playing at left-wing political functions for a time. Mainstream national success began after the American Youth Congress meeting in Washington D.C. in February of 1941. Others who sang with the group at various times included Sis Cunningham, (John) Peter Hawes and his brother (Baldwin) Butch Hawes, Bess Lomax Hawes (wife of Butch), Cisco Houston, and Arthur Stern.
Politics and music remained closely intertwined with the members' political beliefs, which were far-left and occasionally led to controversial associations with the Communist Party USA. Their first release was an album called Songs For John Doe, would urged non-intervention in World War II, and was made with the help of Eric Bernay (of Keynote), Joe Thompson (of NBC), Nicholas Ray (future film director) and Alan Lomax (musicologist). The second album was Talking Union, a collection of labor songs, many of which were intensely anti-Roosevelt.
More recordings followed, but blacklisting and internal friction soon drove the group apart. Seeger and Hays founded communal homes called Almanac Houses, but the group fell apart soon after the attack on Pearl Harbor.
Hays and Seeger went on to form The Weavers in 1947.
Discography
Original Studio Albums
1. Songs For John Doe (Almanac Records, 1941).
2. Talking Union (Keynote, 1941).
3. Deep Sea Chanteys And Whaling Ballads (General, 1941).
4. Sod-Buster Ballads (General, 1941).
5. Songs Of The Lincoln Battalion (Asch, 1942).
6. Dear Mr. President (Keynote, 1942).
Singles
* Song For Bridges / Babe of Mine (Keynote, 1941).
* Boomtown Bill / Keep That Oil A-Rollin (Keynote, 1942).
Compilations
* Talking Union & Other Union Songs (Smithsonian Folkways, 1973)
* Their Complete General Recordings (MCA, 1996)
* Songs of Protest (Prism, 2001)
* Talking Union, Vol. 1 (Naxos, 2001)
* The Sea, The Soil & The Struggle (Naxos, 2004)
Billy Boy
Almanac Singers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Will you go to the war, charmin' Billy?
It's a long ways away, they are dying every day
He's a young boy and cannot leave his 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...
Don't you want a silver medal, charlin' Billy?
No desire do I feel to defend Republic Steel...
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...
Girls would like your uniform, Billy boy, Billy boy
Girls would like your uniform, charlin' Billy
They wouldn't get much chance to love me with six feet of earth above me...
Are you afraid to fight, Billy boy, Billy boy?
Are you afraid to fight, charling Billy?
You can come around to me when England's a democracy...
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...
"Billy Boy" by the Almanac Singers is a folk song released in the 1940s. The lyrics depict a conversation between a mother and her son, Billy, who is being asked to go to war. The mother is concerned about her son leaving and facing the dangers of war, while Billy expresses his reasons why he cannot and does not want to go.
The song raises questions about the morality and justification of war and emphasizes the personal sacrifices and fears that individuals face when confronted with the prospect of fighting. The repetition of the question, "Will you go to the war, Billy Boy?" creates a sense of urgency and provides a platform for Billy to express his reservations.
Billy states that he is too young to leave his mother, indicating his dependency and the emotional bond between them. He also mentions that he lacks the skills required for killing, suggesting a hesitation towards violence and a desire for a peaceful existence.
The lyrics further highlight Billy's opposition to the war by mentioning Republic Steel and Dupont, both of which were industrial companies associated with war production at the time. Billy's reluctance to die for these corporations suggests a critique of the war effort driven by profit rather than noble ideals.
Ultimately, Billy reassures his mother that he won't leave her, and he expresses hope for a better future, suggesting that when England becomes a democracy, he might consider fighting. This reflects a desire for a just cause and a belief that the fight for freedom should be a collective effort.
Overall, "Billy Boy" presents an anti-war sentiment and portrays the internal struggles and reservations of an individual who is being asked to participate in a conflict they don't believe in.
Line by Line Meaning
Will you go to the war, Billy boy, Billy boy?
Are you willing to join the war, Billy, my dear Billy?
It's a long ways away, they are dying every day
The war is far and filled with constant death and suffering
He's a young boy and cannot leave his mother
Billy is young and unable to leave his mother's side
Can you use a bayonet, Billy boy, Billy boy?
Are you skilled in the use of a bayonet, Billy?
No, I haven't got the skill to murder and to kill...
No, I do not possess the ability to perform acts of murder and killing...
Don't you want a silver medal, Billy boy, Billy boy?
Don't you desire to receive a silver medal, charming Billy?
No desire do I feel to defend Republic Steel...
I have no desire to defend the interests of Republic Steel...
Don't you want to see the world, Billy boy, Billy boy?
Don't you wish to travel and experience the world, charmin' Billy?
No, it wouldn't be much thrill to die for Dupont in Brazil...
No, it wouldn't be an exciting experience to die for Dupont in Brazil...
Girls would like your uniform, Billy boy, Billy boy
Girls would be attracted to you in uniform, charlin' Billy
They wouldn't get much chance to love me with six feet of earth above me...
They wouldn't have the opportunity to love me when I'm buried six feet under...
Are you afraid to fight, Billy boy, Billy boy?
Are you scared to participate in the fight, charling Billy?
You can come around to me when England's a democracy...
You can approach me when England becomes a democracy...
Will they take you from my side, Billy boy, Billy boy?
Will they separate you from me, Billy, my dear Billy?
Don't you worry, mother dear, I'm a-stayin' over here...
Don't worry, dear mother, I am choosing to remain here...
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Royalty Network, Songtrust Ave, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: PAT JR PATRICK, TRADITIONAL, PD TRADITIONAL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@fosjetson
I bought a CD last year called 'Dust Can't Kill Me' by Woody Guthrie (and others), I thought this track was hilarious, very funny, and very interesting.. And I'm ex army.
@user-hp5fc5hs3e
) from Russia with love. We don`t wont war too. Our common enemy is capitalism. It is who needs the war!
@Chris_Oblivion
I'm wondering if anyone can help me. Years ago, late 80's/early 90's, an American show aired, and an old man sang this song. I think the old man had learning difficulties(?) and was the main character in the show (I think), and to the best of my memory it was on Sky One? I don't think it was a comedy, it was a drama, and seemed sentimental. I know it's a stretch, but it was a long time ago! My memory isn't what it used to be!!
@atfreema
@guitarmaniax I think the more important date for them was June 22, 1941 not December 7th.
@BenDuvallIrwin
At the first the Almanac Singers were isolationist and anti-war. But then they were all for tearing Hitler down.
@atfreema
@mombassano27 The Almanac Singer's hypocritical disregard for human lives exists independently of whether I am a capitalist or whether America has ever killed anyone unfairly.
@atfreema
They did not care about innocent people dying. If they did they would have canceled their Communist party membership after Stalin's invasion of small neutral countries. They didn't want American involvement against the Nazis because they were Communists. At the time the Soviet Union, which put six feet of earth above many young men by invading Poland, the Baltic countries and Finland, had a pact with you know who.