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SAILOR SHANTIES
Billy Boy ~ Lyrics
(NORTHUMBRIAN CAPSTAN SHANTY.)
1. Where hev ye been äal the day,
Billy Boy, Billy Boy?
Where hev ye been äal the day, me Billy Boy?
I've been walkin' äal the day
With me charmin' Nancy Grey,
And me Nancy kittl'd me fancy
Oh me charmin' Billy Boy.]
2. Is she fit to be yor wife
Billy Boy, Billy Boy?
Is she fit to be yor wife, me Billy Boy?
She's as fit to be me wife
As the fork is to the knife
And me Nancy,etc.
3. 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, and myek a gairdle cake
And me Nancy,etc.
4. Can she myek an Irish Stew
Billy Boy, Billy Boy?
Can she myek an Irish Stew, me Billy Boy?
She can myek an Irish Stew
Aye, and "Singin' Hinnies" too.
And me Nancy,etc.
Glossary:
äal = all. Pronounced to rhyme with "shall" only the vowel
must be very much prolonged.
kittled = tickled.
myek = make.
gairdle cake = girdle cake, i.e. a cake baked on a griddle.
Singin' Hinnies--i.e. a species of Sally Lunn teacake only
larger. Usually plentifully besprinkled with currants, in
which case it is designated by pitmen as "Singin' Hinnies
wi' smäa co fizzors" (small coal fizzers.)
SAILOR SHANTIES
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