Billy Barlow (2)
(Pub:1836, Geo. Endicott, NY)
Verse 1
Now ladies and gentlemen how do you do
I come out before you with one boot and one shoe
I don't how 'tis, but some how 'tis so
Now isn't it hard upon Billy Barlow
O dear, raggedy o, Now isn't it hard upon Billy Barlow
Verse 2
Do show me a boarding house where I can stay
I'm so hungry and sleepy, I eat nothing today
They'll not let me in, at Astor's I know
But a market stall's vacant for Billy Barlow
O dear, raggedy o, There's a market stall vacant for Billy Barlow
Verse 3
As I went down the street, the other fine day
I met two fair ladies just coming this way
says one "-now that chap, he isn't so slow"
"I guess not" says the other, "that's Mr. Barlow"
O dear, raggedy o, "I guess not" says the other, "that's Mr. Barlow"
Verse 4
I'm told there's a show coming into the town
Red lions and monkeys and porcupines brown
But if they should show, I shall beat them I know
For they've never a varmint like Billy Barlow....
Verse 8
Oh dear but I'm tired of this kind of life
I wish in my soul I could find a good wife;
If there's any young lady here, in want of a beau
Let her fly to the arms of sweet Billy Barlow....
Verse 9
No ladies and gemmen, I bid you good-bye
I'll buy a new suit when clothes ain't so high
my hat's shocking bad, as all of you know
but looks well on the head of Billy Barlow...
See Q's post below for the missing verses.
Here's the Traditional Ballad Index entry on the song above:Billy Barlow (II)
DESCRIPTION: William Barlow "come[s] before you with one boot and one shoe." He arouses the wonder of the girls, is given free entrance to the races, and is more unusual than any animal in the circus. He hopes some young lady will accept him as a beau
AUTHOR: unknown
EARLIEST DATE: 1910 (Belden)
KEYWORDS: talltale courting clothes
FOUND IN: US(So)
REFERENCES (1 citation):
Belden, pp. 253-255, "Billy Barlow" (1 text, 1 tune)
Notes: Belden notes this as a comic song performed as far back as 1842, and popular enough to parody during the administration of Franklin Pierce (1853-1857). Belden also notes that Edgar Allen Poe refers to his ex-publisher as "Billy Barlow," implying that, by 1840, the name was already used for a buffoon.
Joy Hildebrand brings to my attention Sam Cowell (1820-1864), who performed as Billy Barlow. From the dates, it looks like Billy probably predates Cowell. But Hildebrand speculates that Cowell might have converted Billy into a character in the "Cutty Wren" type song "Billy Barlow (I)." So far, this is just speculation -- but it makes some sense. - RBW
File: Beld253Go to the Ballad Search form
Go to the Ballad Index InstructionsThe Ballad Index Copyright 2003 by Robert B. Waltz and David G. Engle.
Billy Barlow (3 - this is the same song Q posted, so I have deleted all but the first verse, which is somewhat different.)
(words by Ed Clifford)
Good evening kind friends, how do you all do?
'Tis a very long time since I've seen all of you
I am a volunteer, for the Union I go
And I'm down on secession, is Billy Barlow
Oh, yes, I'm rough well I know,
But a bully old soldier is Bill Barlow...
I found these songs here (click), but the link failed and I had to get them from the Google cache