Billy Boy

This tune is probably from 19th century England and was originally called Willie Lad and Charming William.

This song has particular meaning for me because my father's name was William. He was called Bill as an adult but to his family back home in England he was always known as Willie.


(D) Where have you been Billy Boy, Billy Boy
Where have you been charming (A7) Billy?
I have been to seek a wife
She's the (D) joy of my life
She's a (A7) young thing
and cannot leave her (D) mother

Did she bid you come in Billy Boy, Billy Boy
Did she bid you come in charming (A7) Billy?
Yes she bade me come in
There's a (D) dimple in her chin
She's a (A7) young thing a
and cannot leave her (D) mother

Can she make a cherry pie Billy Boy, Billy Boy
Can she make a cherry pie charming (A7) Billy?
She can make a cherry pie
Quick's a (D) cat can wink its eye
She's a (A7) young thing
and cannot leave her (D) mother

Oh oh where have you been Billy Boy, Billy Boy
Where have you been charming (A7) Billy?
I have been to seek a wife
She's the (D) joy of my life
She's a (A7) young thing
and cannot leave her (D) mother

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Lew
• Dite
• songscreen
• singable
• songs
• singalong

[nihal02]

you definitely must have sung it with a lot of heart for so many people to get nostalgic :) thanks from me too! its great

[LDsongscreen]

Thanks for your comment...

[Imjin57]

I feel sorry for this Lew Dite that puts all these songs on, because he is not only a lousy singer he gets the words wrong.

In this case the whole point of the song is lost when he says Billy Boy went to SEE his wife, when actually Billy went ot SEEK a wife. That is the point that he seems to have missed., and It ruins the whole song.

[LDsongscreen]

I stand corrected... thank you.

However I cannot change my voice.

[MrNajjoula]

In this song,Billy's mother questions him about the girl he plans to marry. Like a mother in any country, she wants her son to find a wife who is polite (did she ask u 2 come in?), attractive (how tall is she), skillful at housekeeping ( can she make an apple pie) and young (how old is she). In answering his mother, Billy exagerates all the qualities of the girl he wants to marr; he is joking in a good natured way.

[tneill1996]

i though this was a rangers song u can take my view of

[Wallabytrack]

@LDsongscreen There is nothing wrong with your voice mate! Nothing at all!

[MsSSnow]

Thank you! A song from my childhood. I had forgotten the part about the dimple on her chin line. So it was a wonderful refresher. 

[ripthefranks]

@LDsongscreen I think your voice is decent :)

[MrRajew]

I can just imagine this song on a Tarantino movie :D

[MrRajew]

Beautifully sung, with soul. Keep it up. :)

[TheBomiheko]

Isn't this an American folk song, not from England?

[lockonlps]

i learned that song in 4th grade. we just learned a different version

[viaranchcare]

I was 15 years old before I realized my name was really William. Thanks for all the words. Pappy