From the Bodleian broadside collection, Harding B 11(292):


BILLY TAYLOR

Billy Taylor was a gay young feller,
Very full of mirth and very full of glee,
And his mind he did diskiver
Unto a damsel fair and free.
Tiddy, iddy, iddy, ol, tol, tido.

Four-and-twenty stout young fellers
(Clad they were in blue array.)
Came and pressed young Billy Taylor,
And forthvith sent him to sea.
Tiddy, iddy, &c.

Soon his true-love followed arter
Under the name of Richard Carr,
And her lily-white hands she daubed all over
With the nasty pitch and tar.
Tiddy, iddy, &c.

Vhen they came to the first engagement,
Bold she fought among the rest,
Until a cannon-ball did cut her jacket open
And diskivered her lily-white breast.
Tiddy, iddy, &c.

Vhen the captain comed for to hear on't,
Says he—vhat vind has blown you here?
Says she—I come for to seek for my true-love,
Whom you pressed, and I love so dear.
Tiddy, iddy, &c.

If you come for to seek for your true-love,
Tell unto me his name, I pray—
His name, kind sir, is Billy Taylor,
Whom you pressed and sent to sea.
Tiddy, iddy, &c.

If his name is Billy Taylor,
He is both cruel and severe;
For, rise up early in the morning,
And you'll see him with a lady fair.
Tiddy, iddy, &c.

With that, she rose up in the morning,
Early, by the break of day,
And she met her Billy Taylor
Valking vith a lady gay.
Tiddy, iddy, &c.

Forthvith she called for sword and pistol,
Vhich did come at her command;
And she shot her Billy Taylor,
Vith his fair one in his hand.
Tiddy, iddy, &c.

Vhen the captain comed for to hear on't,
He very much applauded her for what she had done;
And quickly made her the first lieutenant
Of the gallant—Thunder Bomb.
Tiddy, iddy, &c.