Interesting Facts about the Billy Boy B
“Billy Boy B”, according to Richard Runciman Terry, is a Northumbrian capstan shanty. But for Stan Hugill, it had a wider field than Northumberland. He tells us that he met seamen from London, Liverpool, and South Wales who also knew about this shanty. The song has two main versions; the most popular one is in a minor key. Both versions come from shore songs. The song in is tipe usually used two shantyman, one for the questions and one for an answers.
This one is the most popular, minor version.
I will reconstruct this song as the capstan shanty.
The source of the Billy Boy B
The music: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 451).
The lyrics: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 451, 452).
The Record of this shanty
You also can find this record on my YouTube channel here or directly listen below. Additionally, if you want to share your opinion about the record or share your opinion you can do it in my Facebook forum here, or leave a comment at the bottom of this blog article.
The musical notation
And the full lyrics
Billy Boy B
Where have ye bin all the day, Billy Boy, Billy Boy?
– Where have ye bin all the day, me Billy Boy?
I’ve bin walkin’ on the quay, With me charmin’ Nancy Lee,
– Sweet Nancy tickled me fancy, oh, me charmin’ Billy Boy!
* 2 *
Can she cook, can she bake, Billy Boy, Billy Boy?
– Can she cook, can she bake, Billy Boy?
Aye, she can cook an’ she can bake, she can make a saffron cake,
– Sweet Nancy tickled me fancy, oh, me charmin’ Billy Boy!
* 3 *
Can she darn an’ can she sew, Billy Boy, Billy Boy?
– Can she darn an’ can she sew, me Billy Boy?
Aye she can darn an’ she can sew, there is nought she cannot do,
– Sweet Nancy tickled me fancy, oh, me charmin’ Billy Boy!
* 4 *
Can she wash an’ can she clean, Billy Boy, Billy Boy?
– Can she wash an’ can she clean, me Billy Boy?
Aye she can wash an’ can she clean, an’ she plays the tambourine,
– Sweet Nancy tickled me fancy, oh, me charmin’ Billy Boy!
* 5 *
Is she fit to be yer wife, Billy Boy, Billy Boy?
– Is she fit to be yer wife, me Billy Boy?
Aye, she’s fit to be me wife as the fork is to the knife.
– Sweet Nancy tickled me fancy, oh, me charmin’ Billy Boy!
* 6 *
Can she cook a bit o’ steak, Billy Boy, Billy Boy?
– Can she cook a bit o’ steak, me Billy Boy?
She can cook a bit o’ steak aye an’ make a gridle cake,
– Sweet Nancy tickled me fancy, oh, me charmin’ Billy Boy!
* 7 *
Can she make an Irish stew, Billy Boy, Billy Boy?
– Can she make an Irish stew, me Billy Boy?
She can make an Irish stew, aye, an’ singin’ hinnies too,
– Sweet Nancy tickled me fancy, oh, me charmin’ Billy Boy!
* 8 *
Does she sleep close unto thee, Billy Boy, Billy Boy?
– Does she sleep close unto thee, me Billy Boy?
Aye, she sleeps close unt me, like the bark is to the tree,
– Sweet Nancy tickled me fancy, oh, me charmin’ Billy Boy!
* 9 *
Can she make a feather bed, Billy Boy, Billy Boy?
– Can she make a feather bed, me Billy Boy?
She can make a feather bed, fit for any sailor’s head,
– Sweet Nancy tickled me fancy, oh, me charmin’ Billy Boy!
* 10 *
Can she have the dipsy lead, etc.
* 11 *
Can she strop a block, etc.
