Lyr Req/Add: The Wayward Boy

Subject: Lyrics for Wayward Boy?
From: Dave Smith
Date: 08 Jun 97 - 12:34 AM

Greetings,

I am looking for the lyrics to a song I believe is called the Wayward Boy. I am embarrassed, because I used to sing it back in the early 70's when I was active in Folk Clubs. The tune is the same as used for the Morris Dance "Brighton Camp". I think the song might be Australian in origin.

Here are all the snatches I can remember (cause I lost all my word books in a house move)

"...when I rang the bell, she knew right well, Why they called me the Wayward Boy."

And later,

"...she didn't look much older, but she had five boys, and seven little girls, and a baby on her shoulder."

Subject: Lyr Add: THE WAYWARD BOY
From: Murray
Date: 08 Jun 97 - 02:22 AM

Dave: the following words (with the tune, otherwise called "The Girl I Left Behind me") are in Harold H. Hart, "The Complete Immortalia," N.Y., 1971, pages 331-5:

THE WAYWARD BOY

I walked the street with a tap to me feet.
I heard a voice above me.
A lovely maid looked down and said,
"I need someone to love me."
Says I, "My dear, you needn't fear,
For I have heard your pleadin'.
You will find your joy with the Wayward Boy.
He's got just what you're needin'."

"I've heard of you, my Wayward Boy.
Your name is far exalted;
But I won't come down. I can't come down.
My bedroom door is bolted.
My father is a minister,
My maidenhead does cherish.
Nightly he does lock me in
So lonely I do perish."

Well, the fence was small; I shinnied up the wall,
I stood right there behind her.
With quite some charm, she lifted up her arm
And grabbed some clothes to hide her.
Says I, "Young maid, don't be afraid.
Your future can be thrillin'.
If you're the one who likes a bit of fun,
The Wayward Boy is willin'."

Well, she jumped into bed and covered up her head,
And she said I couldn't find her.
She knew damn well she lied like hell.
I jumped right in behind her.
I shoved my chest up to her breast.
I shook her like a toy.
When I hit the bell, she knew damn well
Why they call me the Wayward Boy.

Well, the bed broke down. I landed on the ground.
Her father come a-gunnin'.
I jumped through the glass, and landed on my ass.
I got two feet a-runnin'.
Her father took aim through the windowpane,
And a shotgun blasted by me;
And for weeks ahead, I was pickin' out lead,
With a mirror held behind me.

So the years went by. I woke up with a sigh
As fancy did remind me;
And one fine day, I made my way
To the gal I left behind me.
She still looked thin, to ward off sin.
She didn't look much older;
But she had five girls and seven little boys
And a baby on her shoulder.


--Another more scrofulous version is in Ed Cray's "Erotic Muse" (1968), pp. 36-7, with a good note at the end.

Subject: Lyr Add: THE WAYWARD BOY (Charlie Poole)
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 22 Oct 15 - 10:54 PM

There are other songs with the same title. Here's one:


THE WAYWARD BOY
As recorded by Charlie Poole & His North Carolina Ramblers, 1927.

A wayward boy got tired of home; he says: "I'll go to sea.
I'll travel this wide world over; from home then I'll be free."
His mother says: "Don't leave me, Jack, for you are my only joy."
But all in vain; he had his way, so she said to her boy:

CHORUS: "When you are tired and weary, dear boy, no longer wish to roam,
Your dear old mother would welcome you at home, home, sweet home."

The wayward boy got tired at last; he longed for peace and rest.
He longed for his dear old mother, best friend he had on earth.
But like a flower neglected, she had faded away and died.
The only comfort that he had was the last words that she cried: CHORUS

The wayward boy went off to sea despite his mother's tears.
No letter reached her from her son in many worried years.
He led a wild and reckless life, though sometimes in his sleep
He'd see his dear old mother's face and sadly she would weep: CHORUS

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Wayward Boy
From: Lighter
Date: 23 Oct 15 - 09:52 AM

Red flag:

Characters in traditional song don't walk down the street with a tap to their feet.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req/Add: The Wayward Boy
From: GUEST
Date: 13 Jan 21 - 07:18 PM

Date of first writing the Wayward Boy