The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #62969 Message #1019646
Posted By: Q (Frank Staplin)
15-Sep-03 - 11:20 PM
Thread Name: Origins: Billy Barlow
Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Another 'Billy Barlow'
There are other versions in the Forum, mostly with the Cutty Wren songs, but the relationship to that group is not clear-cut. Here is a "Billy Barlow" that was popular in Texas.
HUNTING THE WREN (BILLY BARLOW)
"Let's go hunting," said Rob-sha-Bob; "Let's go hunting," said Ridge to Rodge; "Let's go hunting," said Daniel Joe; "Let's go hunting," said Billy Barlow.
"What shall we hunt?" said Rob-sha-Bob; "What shall we hunt?" said Ridge to Rudge; Etc.
"Go hunt a wren," said Rob-sha-Bob; etc.
"How'll we kill it?" said Rob-sha-Bob: etc.
"Go borrow a gun," said Rob-sha-Bob; etc.
"How'll we cook it?" said Rob-sha-Bob; etc.
"Go borrow a skillet," said Rob-sha-Bob; etc.
"How'll we divide it?" said Rob-sha-Bob; etc.
I'll take the head," said Rob-sha-Bob; "I'll take the back," said Ridge to Rodge; "I'll take the breast," said Daniel Joe; "I'll take the rest," said Billy Barlow.
William A. Owens, 1950, "Texas Folk Songs," pp. 252-254, with music.