Billy Taylor lyrics
Drops of GreenBilly Taylor was a sailor, he was courtin' a fair lady
Instead of Billy gettin' married, he was forced to take the sea
But his bride soon followed after under the name of Richard Carr
Snow-white fingers, long and slender, covered over with pitch and tar
Fal-la-dal-la-dum-dum-derry
Fal-la-dal-le-dum-dum-day
Fal-la-dal-la-dum-dum-derry
Fal-la-dal-le-dum-dum-day
She dressed herself in sailor's clothing, oh but she was a pretty young
man
Away she sailed upon the ocean, all aboard the Mary Anne
A storm blew up upon the water, she bein' there among the rest
The wind blew off her silver buttons and there appeared her snow-white breast
Fal-la-dal-la-dum-dum-derry
Fal-la-dal-le-dum-dum-day
Fal-la-dal-la-dum-dum-derry
Fal-la-dal-le-dum-dum-day
"Well" said 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," said the captain, "My dear lady, tell to me this young man's name"
"Some folk call him Billy Taylor, William Taylor is his name"
Fal-la-dal-la-dum-dum-derry
Fal-la-dal-le-dum-dum-day
Fal-la-dal-la-dum-dum-derry
Fal-la-dal-le-dum-dum-day
[Instrumental]
"Well" said the captain, "My dear lady, he has proved to you untrue
He's got married to another and left you here alone to rue
Rise ye early up in the mornin', early at the break of day
There you'll spy young Billy Taylor, walkin' out with his lady gay"
She rose early up next mornin', early at the break of day
There she spied young Billy Taylor walkin' out with his lady gay
Gun and pistol she commanded, gun and pistol at her side
There she shot young Billy Taylor walkin' out with his new bride
Fal-la-dal-la-dum-dum-derry
Fal-la-dal-le-dum-dum-day
Fal-la-dal-la-dum-dum-derry
Fal-la-dal-le-dum-dum-day
Fal-la-dal-la-dum-dum-derry
Fal-la-dal-le-dum-dum-day
Fal-la-dal-la-dum-dum-derry
Fal-la-dal-le-dum-dum-day...
Song Details
🎶Songwriter: Traditional (Roud 158)
✍️ Title & Variants: Originally titled “William Taylor,” this song has acquired numerous alternative names over time, such as "Billy Taylor," "Bold William Taylor," "Down By the Seashore," and several others. These variants reflect the song’s long history and its wide circulation across the British Isles and beyond.
Age & Publication: The earliest printed version of the song dates back to 1792,
📝 Brief: Traditionally, the ballad recounts the tale of a young couple on the brink of marriage. On the wedding day, the groom, William Taylor is pressed into military service, leaving the bride behind. In her quest to find him and resolve her heartbreak, the bride disguises herself as a man and enlists as a soldier or sailor.
Her true identity is eventually revealed in a moment of accidental exposure of her breasts, leading to dramatic consequences. Upon discovering his betrayal, she confronts her lover and shoots him.
Genre: Folk Song
👥 Covers: Briste, Malinky, Celtic Legends, Arcanadh, Iona Fyfe, Raglan Road...
🎤 Featured Artists: Drops OF Green - Irish folk band known for bringing fresh, modern interpretations to traditional Irish tunes.
💿 Album: Knowing Why
Released: 4th June, 2019
Country: Ireland
Format: CD, Digital Download
Label: Self-released by Drops Of Green
