Nursery rhyme, England, U.K.
“Billy Boy” is a traditional folk song and nursery rhyme found in the United States. It has a Roud Folk Song Index number of 326.
It is a variant of the traditional English folk song “My Boy Billy,” collected by Ralph Vaughan Williams and published by him in 1912 as number 232 in Novello’s School Songs.
Billy Boy Song Info
“Billy Boy” stands as a stalwart pillar in the realm of traditional English folk music, its roots sinking deep into the fertile soil of oral tradition. While the exact origins of the song remain shrouded in the mists of time, its enduring popularity speaks volumes about its resonance with generations past and present.
This timeless ballad typically recounts the tale of a young man named Billy, whose courtship endeavors are thwarted by the demands of his sweetheart’s family. With its simple yet evocative lyrics and catchy melody, “Billy Boy” has become a mainstay in the folk repertoire, cherished for its ability to transport listeners to a bygone era of rural life and romance.
The song’s narrative often revolves around themes of love, societal expectations, and the complexities of relationships, offering a window into the cultural landscape of its era. Today it’s often used as a love song for kids.
Through its various iterations and adaptations, “Billy Boy” has transcended geographical boundaries, finding its way into the hearts and repertoires of folk enthusiasts across the globe. Whether sung in cozy taverns, around campfires, or at lively cèilidhs, this venerable tune continues to evoke a sense of nostalgia and camaraderie, bridging the gap between past and present with its enduring charm.
Table of Contents
- Billy Boy Song Info
- Billy Boy Videos
- Song with Vocals
- Billy Boy karaoke (Free MP3 download)
- MP4 Video File | Free Download
- Billy Boy Sheet Music with chords
- Free Printable PDF with Sheet Music and lyrics
Billy Boy Videos
Sing-Along Video with Lyrics
Karaoke Video with Lyrics
Lyrics
1. 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.
2. 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.
She’s a young thing
And cannot leave her mother.
3. 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.
4. Did she set for you a chair,
Billy Boy, Billy Boy?
Did she set for you a chair,
Charming Billy?
Yes, she sat for me a chair.
She has ringlets in her hair.
She’s a young thing
And cannot leave her mother.
5. How old is she now,
Billy Boy, Billy Boy?
How old is she now,
Charming Billy?
Three times six and four times seven,
Twenty-eight and eleven,
She’s a young thing
And cannot leave her mother.
Song with Vocals
This is the vocal version of this song, as recorded by Singing Bell. Play the song and sing along!
Billy Boy karaoke
(Free MP3 download)
To download your free instrumental mp3 of this song, click or tap on the following button, then choose “Save link as…”
“Billy Boy” (instrumental, 3:34 – 4/4 – 98.1 bpm)
Commercial License (karaoke)
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Buy the album 30 Favourite Nursery Rhymes Vol. 2
or stream a great collection including songs for kids ranging from uptempo tracks to great relaxing tracks and lullabies.
MP4 Video File | Free Download
To be able to watch “Billy Boy” any time you’d like to on your tablet, smartphone or other mobile device, click on the following link to download the video file (mp4 format).
Billy Boy| Free mp4 Video File Download
Billy Boy Sheet Music with chords
To save this free music sheet of “Billy Boy” to your computer, right click (or tap and hold, on mobile devices) and choose “Save Image As…”.
Free Printable PDF with Sheet Music and lyrics
To download a ready-to-print PDF of this song for music activities with a music sheet, lyrics and a drawing for kids to paint, right click (or tap and hold) on the following link, then choose “Save link as…”.
“Billy Boy” free PDF download – Singing Bell
You can click on the button for a printable PDF file with Guitar Chords, Tabs and Sheet Music with notes and tablature for this song for free.
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