BILLY TAYLOR

Billy Taylor was a sailor
He was courtin a fine lady
Instead of Billy getting married
He was forced to go to sea
But his bride soon followed after
Under the name of Richard Carr;
Snow white fingers long and slender
All covered over with pitch and tar.

Cho: Fol de rol de rum dum day dee
       Fol de rol de rum dum day

She's buttoned on the sailor's clothing,
Dressed herself up like a man;
Away she sailed like a tarry sailor
All aboard the Mary Anne.
A storm arose upon the ocean,
She being there among the rest;
The wind blew off her silver buttons,
And so exposed her snow-white breast.

"Now," said the captain, "My fair lady,
What misfortune brought you here?"
"I'm in search of my true lover
Who you pressed the other year."
"Now," said the captain, "My fair lady,
Come pray tell me what's his name?"
"Some folks call him Billy Taylor
But William Taylor is his name."

"If Billy Taylor's your true lover,
He has proved to you untrue;
He got married to another
Left you here alone to rue."
"Rise you early in the mornin',
Early by the break of day.
For there you'll see young Billy Taylor
Walking out with his lady gay."

She rose early the next morning
Early by the break of day;
There she saw young Billy Taylor
Walking out with his lady gay.
Gun and pistol she's commanded,
Gun and pistol by her side;
She has shot young Billy Taylor
Walking out with his new-made bride.

"Now," says the captain, "My fair lady
Come pray tell me what you've done."
I have shot young Billy Taylor
With a double-barreled gun."
When the captain did behold her
And the deed that she has done,
He has made her a chief commander
Over a ship and a hundred men.