Billy Boy
The Wonder Kids Lyrics
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Billy Boy, Billy Boy?
Oh, where have you been
Charming Billy?
I have been to seek a wife
She's the joy of my life
She's a young thing
And cannot leave her mother
Did she ask you to come in
Billy Boy, Billy Boy?
Did she ask you to come in
Charming Billy?
Yes, she asked me to come in
There's a dimple in her chin
She's a young thing
And cannot leave her mother
Can she make a cherry pie
Billy Boy, Billy Boy?
Can she make a cherry pie
Charming Billy?
She can make a cherry pie
Quick as a cat can wink an eye
She's a young thing
And cannot leave her mother
How old is she
Billy Boy, Billy Boy?
How old is she
Charming Billy?
Three times six and four times seven
Twenty-eight and eleven
She's a young thing
And cannot leave her mother
The Wonder Kids's song "Billy Boy" is an old traditional American folk song that tells the story of a young man named Billy Boy who goes on a journey to find a wife. The song starts with the singer asking Billy about his whereabouts, to which Billy replies that he had been wandering around to find the love of his life. He informs the singer that he has finally found a girl whom he likes and is the joy of his life. However, he also mentions that the girl, being young, is still dependent on her mother and can not leave her.
Further, the singer then asks Billy if the girl invited him in, to which Billy replies that she did and mentioned how she has a dimple in her chin. The song then takes a turn, and the singer enquires whether the girl could make a cherry pie or not. With enthusiasm, Billy replies that she indeed can make a cherry pie as quick as a cat can wink an eye. The singer then asks about the girls' age, and Billy replies that she is twenty-eight and eleven as the product of three times six and four times seven.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh, where have you been
Billy Boy, Billy Boy?
Asking Billy Boy where he's been and addressing him with his nickname.
I have been to seek a wife
She's the joy of my life
She's a young thing
And cannot leave her mother
Explaining that he has been looking for a wife and that he has found someone he loves. However, she is still young and dependent on her mother.
Did she ask you to come in
Billy Boy, Billy Boy?
Did she ask you to come in
Charming Billy?
Asking Billy Boy if he was invited to the girl's house and addressing him by his nickname again.
Yes, she asked me to come in
There's a dimple in her chin
She's a young thing
And cannot leave her mother
Confirming that he was invited in and describing a physical characteristic of the girl. Reiterating that she cannot leave her mother due to her young age.
Can she make a cherry pie
Billy Boy, Billy Boy?
Can she make a cherry pie
Charming Billy?
Asking if the girl can make a cherry pie and addressing Billy Boy by his nickname once more.
She can make a cherry pie
Quick as a cat can wink an eye
She's a young thing
And cannot leave her mother
Affirming that the girl can make a cherry pie quickly and using a simile to emphasize the speed. Repeating that she is still young and relying on her mother.
How old is she
Billy Boy, Billy Boy?
How old is she
Charming Billy?
Inquiring about the girl's age and calling Billy Boy by his nickname again.
Three times six and four times seven
Twenty-eight and eleven
She's a young thing
And cannot leave her mother
Doing some mental arithmetic to calculate the girl's age and revealing that she's still young and dependent on her mother.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: RUSS MINEO, RALPH MONTELLO, BILLY DAWN SMITH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind