Billy Boy
Mr. Ray & The Little Sunshine Kids Singers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Oh, where have you been, Charming Billy?
I have been to seek a wife, she's the joy of my whole life
But she's a young thing and cannot leave her mother
Where does she live, Billy Boy, Billy Boy?
Oh, where does she live, Charming Billy?
She lives on the hill, forty miles from the mill
Did she bid you to come in, Billy Boy, Billy Boy?
Did she bid you to come in, Charming Billy?
Yes, she bade me to come in, there's a dimple in her chin
But she's a young thing and cannot leave her mother
Did she take your hat, Billy Boy, Billy Boy?
Did she take your hat, Charming Billy?
Yes, she took my hat and she threw it at the cat
But she's a young thing and cannot leave her mother
Did she set for you a chair, Billy Boy, Billy Boy?
Did she set for you a chair, Charming Billy?
Yes, she set for me a chair, she has ringlets in her hair
But she's a young thing and cannot leave her mother
Can she cook and can she spin, Billy Boy, Billy Boy?
Can she cook and can she spin, Charming Billy?
She can cook and she can spin, she can do most anything
But she's a young thing and cannot leave her mother
Can she bake a cherry pie, Billy Boy, Billy Boy?
Can she bake a cherry pie, Charming Billy?
She can bake a cherry pie, quick as a cat can wink her eye
But she's a young thing and cannot leave her mother
Can she make a feather bed, Billy Boy, Billy Boy?
Can she make a feather bed, Charming Billy?
She can make a feather bed and put pillows at the head
But she's a young thing and cannot leave her mother
Can she make a pudding well, Billy Boy, Billy Boy?
Can she make a pudding well, Charming Billy?
She can make a pudding well, I can tell it by the smell
But she's a young thing and cannot leave her mother
Can she milk a heifer calf, Billy Boy, Billy Boy?
Can she milk a heifer calf, Charming Billy?
Yes, she can, and not miss the bucket more than half
But she's a young thing and cannot leave her mother
Is she often seen at church, Billy Boy, Billy Boy?
Is she often seen at church, Charming Billy?
Yes, she's often seen at church, with her bonnet white as birch
But she's a young thing and cannot leave her mother
And is she very tall, Billy Boy, Billy Boy?
And is she very tall, Charming Billy?
She's as tall as any pine, and as straight as a pumpkin vine
But she's a young thing and cannot leave her mother
Are her eyes very bright, Billy Boy, Billy Boy?
Are her eyes very bright, Charming Billy?
Yes, her eyes are very bright, but alas, they're minus sight
But she's a young thing and cannot leave her mother
Can she sing a pretty song, Billy Boy, Billy Boy?
Can she sing a pretty song, Charming Billy?
She can sing a pretty song, but she often sings it wrong
But she's a young thing and cannot leave her mother
How old may she be, Billy Boy, Billy Boy?
How old may she be, Charming Billy?
Three times six and four times seven, twenty-eight and eleven
But she's a young thing and cannot leave her mother
Is she fit to be a wife, Billy Boy, Billy Boy?
Is she fit to be a wife, Charming Billy?
She's as fit to be a wife as a fork fits to a knife
But she's a young thing and cannot leave her mother
The lyrics of "Billy Boy" tell the story of a young man named Billy who is in love with a girl and seeking to marry her. He describes his interactions with her in a playful and endearing way, highlighting her qualities and abilities. However, there is a repeated refrain throughout the song that emphasizes the girl's young age and her inability to leave her mother. This suggests a sense of innocence, dependence, and perhaps immaturity on her part.
Billy mentions that the girl he loves lives far away from him, on a hill forty miles from the mill. Despite this distance, he describes how she invited him into her home and showed hospitality by offering him a chair. These details paint a picture of a sweet and welcoming interaction between the two characters, illustrating the girl's kindness and charm.
The song also touches on the girl's domestic skills, such as cooking, baking, and sewing. Billy praises her abilities in these areas, indicating that she is capable and accomplished despite her young age. However, the repeated refrain about her inability to leave her mother suggests that she is still under the care and guidance of her parent, reinforcing the theme of youth and dependence.
Towards the end of the song, Billy describes the girl's physical attributes, noting her height and the brightness of her eyes. Despite these positive qualities, there is a bittersweet tone as he mentions that her eyes lack sight, adding a layer of vulnerability and sadness to the portrayal of the girl. The song concludes with Billy questioning the girl's suitability as a wife, affirming that she is indeed fit for the role but highlighting once again her youth and reliance on her mother. Overall, "Billy Boy" captures a tender and whimsical tale of young love, innocence, and the complexities of growing up.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh, where have you been, Billy Boy, Billy Boy?
Asking about Billy's whereabouts and activities
Where does she live, Billy Boy, Billy Boy?
Inquiring about the location of Billy's love interest
Did she bid you to come in, Billy Boy, Billy Boy?
Confirming if Billy's love interest welcomed him inside
Did she take your hat, Billy Boy, Billy Boy?
Asking if Billy's love interest interacted with him further
Did she set for you a chair, Billy Boy, Billy Boy?
Inquiring if Billy's love interest made him feel comfortable
Can she cook and can she spin, Billy Boy, Billy Boy?
Asking about the culinary and domestic skills of Billy's love interest
Can she bake a cherry pie, Billy Boy, Billy Boy?
Asking about the baking abilities of Billy's love interest
Can she make a feather bed, Billy Boy, Billy Boy?
Inquiring about the bedding-making skills of Billy's love interest
Can she make a pudding well, Billy Boy, Billy Boy?
Asking about the dessert-making abilities of Billy's love interest
Can she milk a heifer calf, Billy Boy, Billy Boy?
Inquiring if Billy's love interest can do farm chores
Is she often seen at church, Billy Boy, Billy Boy?
Asking about the religious habits of Billy's love interest
And is she very tall, Billy Boy, Billy Boy?
Inquiring about the physical stature of Billy's love interest
Are her eyes very bright, Billy Boy, Billy Boy?
Asking about the brightness of the eyes of Billy's love interest
Can she sing a pretty song, Billy Boy, Billy Boy?
Questioning the musical talents of Billy's love interest
How old may she be, Billy Boy, Billy Boy?
Inquiring about the age of Billy's love interest
Is she fit to be a wife, Billy Boy, Billy Boy?
Questioning the suitability of Billy's love interest for marriage
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: LUTHER DIXON, JACK DOUGLAS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind