Billy Boy Lyrics - Traditional

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 bid you come in, Billy Boy, Billy Boy?
Did she bid you come in, charming Billy?
Yes, she bid me come in, with 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 you can wink an eye,
She's a young thing and cannot leave her mother.

Can she bake a loaf of bread, Billy Boy, Billy Boy?
Can she bake a loaf of bread, charming Billy?
She can bake a loaf of bread and a cake that's nicely spread,
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.

Billy Boy Lyrics narrates a young man asking about courting The song billy boy lyrics teaches narrative rhyme memory and imaginative play It engages children through repetition and storytelling The rhyme has been sung for generations entertaining children while promoting literacy rhythm social learning and early cognitive development in homes and classrooms.