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, an album called Songs For John Doe, 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.
Songs for John Doe, Talking Union (Two Original Albums, 1941)
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.
After the war, Seeger and Hays, later joined by two of Hays' young friends, Ronnie Gilbert and Fred Hellerman, began singing together again at fund-raising folk dances, with a repertoire geared to international folk music. The new singing group, appearing for a while in 1949 under the rubric, "The Nameless Quartet", changed their name to The Weavers and went on to achieve great renown.
Billy Boy
The 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...
The Almanac Singers’ “Billy Boy” is an anti-war protest song that was released in 1941. The lyrics address a young man named Billy who is being asked to go to war. The first verse asks if he is willing to go to the war, highlighting the distance and constant threat of death. However, Billy is young and cannot leave his mother, showing the emotional toll the decision has on him. The second verse asks if he can use a bayonet, and Billy replies that he cannot bring himself to kill others. The third verse asks if he wants a medal, and Billy replies that he has no desire to die for a company like Republic Steel. The fourth verse inquires if he wants to see the world, and Billy responds that dying for Dupont in Brazil would not be worth it. The fifth verse touches on the idea that the uniform would attract girls, but Billy knows that he won’t have the opportunity to love them while buried six feet deep. Finally, the last verse inquires if he is afraid to fight. Billy responds that he will only fight when England is a democracy, implying that the current war is not worth fighting in.
Overall, the song is a commentary on the toll war takes on individuals, and how it benefits only those with wealth and power. The lyrics suggest that individuals should not blindly follow those in power into war, but instead question the motives and weigh the costs. The name “Billy” is used as a reference to the typical, average person who is asked to go to war, highlighting how the song’s message can apply to anyone.
Line by Line Meaning
Will you go to the war, Billy boy, Billy boy?
Are you willing to enlist in the army, Billy boy?
It's a long ways away, they are dying every day
The war is far and people are dying every day
Can you use a bayonet, Billy boy, Billy boy?
Do you have the skills to use a bayonet, Billy boy?
No, I haven't got the skill to murder and to kill...
I don't have the ability to kill another human being
Don't you want a silver medal, Billy boy, Billy boy?
Don't you want to earn a silver medal, Billy boy?
No desire do I feel to defend Republic Steel...
I don't have any desire to defend a corporation like Republic Steel
Don't you want to see the world, Billy boy, Billy boy?
Aren't you interested in seeing the world, Billy boy?
No, it wouldn't be much thrill to die for Dupont in Brazil...
I'm not interested in risking my life for a company like Dupont in a far-off land like Brazil
Girls would like your uniform, Billy boy, Billy boy
Girls would find your uniform attractive, Billy boy
They wouldn't get much chance to love me with six feet of earth above me...
They wouldn't have much opportunity to love me if I'm buried six feet underground
Are you afraid to fight, Billy boy, Billy boy?
Are you scared of fighting, Billy boy?
You can come around to me when England's a democracy...
I'll reconsider fighting when England becomes a democracy
Will they take you from my side, Billy boy, Billy boy?
Will the army force you to leave my side, Billy boy?
Don't you worry, mother dear, I'm a-stayin' over here...
Don't worry, mother, I'm not enlisting in the army and I'm staying here with you
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Songtrust Ave
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.