Lyr Add: Young Billy Young (by Crane Driver)

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Young Billy Young (by Crane Driver)
From: Charley Noble
Date: 03 Feb 07 - 05:53 PM

Crane Driver-

Thanks for posting this one.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: Lyr Add: YOUNG BILLY YOUNG (by Crane Driver)
From: Crane Driver
Date: 03 Feb 07 - 03:51 PM

Well, I've been asked for these words, so I'll post 'em here.

YOUNG BILLY YOUNG
Andrew (Crane Driver) McKay

Young Billy Young he was handsome, he was bold,
He was always on the lookout when the dice of fate were rolled,
If a chance came along, he didn't need to be told;
"It's do it now or never", said young Billy Young
"Oh do it now or never", said young Billy Young

Young Billy Young took a ship from the quay,
To cross the mighty ocean to far Amerikee,
With his hopes for the future he set out to sail the sea,
"Oh, do it now or never", said young Billy Young
"Oh, do it now or never", said young Billy Young

Young Billy's ship had just left Ireland on the lee,
When a French Man o' War came up and hailed them haughtily
"If you don't back your sails up we'll sink you in the sea!"
"Oh do it now or never", said young Billy Young
"Oh do it now or never", said young Billy Young

Young Billy Young he was taken back to Brest
Where they put him in a prison ship along with all the rest,
"I'm getting out of here, it's making me depressed,
"Oh, do it now or never", said young Billy Young
"Oh, do it now or never", said young Billy Young

A ship into Brest from the Admiralty came,
With words of kings and diplomats a-playing of the game,
"She's sailing homewards and I'd like to do the same,
"Oh, do it now or never", said young Billy Young
"Oh, do it now or never", said young Billy Young

So he slid into the water and he swam upon the tide,
The sailors hauled him up upon the frigate's further side,
The Captain said, "I'll take you home to Swansea by and by."
"Oh do it now or never," said young Billy Young
"Oh do it now or never," said young Billy Young

Young Billy Young he was handsome, he was bold,
He was always on the lookout when the dice of fate were rolled,
If a chance came along, he didn't need to be told;
"It's do it now or never", said young Billy Young
"Oh do it now or never", said young Billy Young

Notes:
Billy Young's adventure took place in 1796, during the Napoleonic Wars. After his escape, he seems to have decided that he had seen enough adventure for one lifetime, gave up thoughts of America and settled back in South Wales. Under his full name of William Weston Young, he followed several careers, as land surveyor, marine salvage consultant, inventor (he developed a heat-resistant silica brick used to line furnace chimneys) and, perhaps most successfully, a painter of fine ceramics at the famous Nant Garw Pottery near Swansea.

The tune is in hornpipe time, probably original (at least it doesn't remind me of anything else). It's on my CD "Pennbucky to Llangenny" which is available for download from here if you've a mind to listen.

Permission to sing my songs is always given, just credit it please.