My favourite version of William (Billy) Taylor is the one singing by Karin Polwart with her great band "Malinky" on their second CD called "3 Ravens". And here are the lyrics:

BILLY TAYLOR

Billy Taylor was a sailor
He was courting a fair lady
Instead of Billy getting married
He was forced untae the sea
But his bride soon followed after
Under the name of Richard Carr
Snow white fingers long and slender
Covered ower wi' pitch and tar

Far-da-ral-da-rum-dum-daddy
Fal-da-ral-de-rum-dum-day

She's dressed herself in sailor's clothing,
Oh but she was a bonnie young man
Away she sailed upon the ocean
All aboard the Mary Anne
A storm arose upon the water
She being there amang the rest
The wind blew off her silver buttons and
There appeared her snow-white breast.

Far-da-ral-da-rum-dum-daddy
Fal-da-ral-de-rum-dum-day

"Well now" says the captain "My dear lady,
What misfortune brought you here?"
"I'm in search of my true lover
Whom you have pressed the other year."
"Well" says the captain "My dear lady,
Tell to me the young man's name"
"Some folk call him Billy Taylor,
William Taylor is his name."

Far-da-ral-da-rum-dum-daddy
Fal-da-ral-de-rum-dum-day

"Well if Billy Taylor's your dear lover
Then he has proved to you untrue;
He's got married tae another
And left you here alone to rue."
"Rise ye early in the mornin',
Early at the break of day
And there you'll spy young Billy Taylor
Walkin' oot wi' his lady gay."

Far-da-ral-da-rum-dum-daddy
Fal-da-ral-de-rum-dum-day

She rose early up next mornin',
Early at the break of day.
And there she spied young Billy Taylor
Walkin' oot wi' his lady gay
Gun and pistol she commanded,
Gun and pistol at her side;
And there she shot – young Billy Taylor,
Walkin' oot wi' his new-made bride.

Far-da-ral-da-rum-dum-daddy
Fal-da-ral-de-rum-dum-day


By the way, I heard a german version of this song singing by Michael Lempelius (former Black Bush, now touring as solo-bouzouki & mandoline player) called "Willy Dose". Did anybody knows the lyrics?

Yours,

Frank

P.S.: please visit my homepage on http://www.kapellis.de (thanks)