Billy Boy
Wonder Kids Lyrics


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Oh, where have you been
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

Overall Meaning

The song "Billy Boy" is a traditional folk song that has been passed down through generations. This song is a question and answer format that is sung by Wonder Kids to depict a story of Billy Boy being asked about his journey and his encounter with a young woman.


The song starts with Billy Boy being questioned about his whereabouts, and he replies that he was seeking a wife who he found to be the joy of his life, but she is too young and cannot leave her mother. The question about whether she allowed him into her home was asked, and Billy Boy replied that she did, and she had a dimple on her chin. The subsequent questions asked whether she could make a cherry pie, and again Billy Boy replied positively, adding that she could make it quickly. Lastly, he was asked about her age, and he replied that she was three times six plus four times seven, meaning twenty-eight and eleven years old. The song depicts a light-hearted and playful interaction between Billy Boy and the person asking the questions, with a focus on his admiration for the young woman.


Line by Line Meaning

Oh, where have you been Billy Boy, Billy Boy?
Asking where Billy has been


I have been to seek a wife
Billy has been searching for a wife


She's the joy of my life
Billy is very happy with his wife


She's a young thing And cannot leave her mother
Billy's wife is still young and reliant on her mother


Did she ask you to come in Billy Boy, Billy Boy?
Asking if Billy's wife invited him into her home


Yes, she asked me to come in
Billy's wife welcomed him into her home


There's a dimple in her chin
Billy notices a charming feature of his wife


Can she make a cherry pie Billy Boy, Billy Boy?
Asking if Billy's wife can bake a cherry pie


She can make a cherry pie Quick as a cat can wink an eye
Billy's wife can bake a delicious cherry pie quickly


How old is she Billy Boy, Billy Boy?
Asking for Billy's wife's age


Three times six and four times seven Twenty-eight and eleven
Billy's wife is 28 years and 11 months old


She's a young thing And cannot leave her mother
Reiterating that Billy's wife is 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
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