Bill Bailey
Louis Armstrong & Danny Kaye Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I've moaned the whole night long
I'll do the cookin', honey, I'll pay the rent
I know I done you wrong
You remember that rainy evenin'
I threw you out with nothin' but a fine-tooth comb
Ya, I know I'm to blame; now, ain't it a shame?
Won't you come home, Bill Bailey, won't you come on home?
I've moaned that whole day long
I'll do all the cookin', honey, I'll even pay the rent
I know that I have done you oh-so wrong
You remember that rainy evenin'
I throwed you out with nothin' but a fine-tooth comb
I know I'm to blame; now, ain't it a shame?
So, baby, won't you, please, come
I said now, won't you, please, come
Bill Bailey, won't you, please, come on home?
The song "Won't You Come Home Bill Bailey" is a classic blues number about a man named Bill Bailey. The lyrics, sung by Louis Armstrong and Danny Kaye, are addressed directly to Bill and are a plea for him to come home. In the song, the singer admits to having done Bill wrong and begs for his forgiveness. The repeated line "I know I done you wrong" highlights the singer's remorse and desire to make things right.
The use of the phrase "fine-tooth comb" in the lyrics is significant. It's a reference to a tool used for meticulous cleaning and searching for something small or hidden. In this context, it implies that the singer threw Bill out with nothing, leaving him with nothing but the clothes on his back and perhaps a comb for grooming. This creates a vivid image in the listener's mind of the desperation and misery that Bill must have experienced.
Overall, "Won't You Come Home Bill Bailey" is a powerful example of a blues song's emotions put into words. Through the lyrics, the listener can feel the pain and desperation that the singer is experiencing and sympathize with his efforts to make amends.
Line by Line Meaning
Won't you come home, Bill Bailey, won't you come home?
Please come back home, Bill Bailey.
I've moaned the whole night long
I have been sad and regretful all night.
I'll do the cookin', honey, I'll pay the rent
I am willing to take care of all the household responsibilities.
I know I done you wrong
I acknowledge that I have acted wrongly and hurt you.
You remember that rainy evenin'
Do you recall that evening?
I threw you out with nothin' but a fine-tooth comb
I kicked you out of the house with almost nothing on you.
Ya, I know I'm to blame; now, ain't it a shame?
Yes, I know that I am responsible, and it is unfortunate.
Bill Bailey, won't you, please, come home?
Please come back home, Bill Bailey.
I've moaned that whole day long
I have been sad and regretful all day.
I'll do all the cookin', honey, I'll even pay the rent
I am willing to take care of all the household responsibilities.
I know that I have done you oh-so wrong
I know that I have acted wrongly and hurt you deeply.
I said now, won't you, please, come
I am pleading with you to come back home.
Bill Bailey, won't you, please, come on home?
Please come back home, Bill Bailey.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: HUGHIE CANNON, KIRBY SHAW
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind