Malvina Reynolds: Song Lyrics and Poems  



Billy Boy

Notes: words and music by Malvina Reynolds; copyright 1963 Schroder Music Company, renewed 1991. In the Notes to her songbook Little Boxes and Other Handmade Songs Malvina writes: "In May, 1960, the House UnAmerican Committee came to San Francisco and subpoenaed, amongst others, a university student."


Did they wash you down the stair, Billy Boy, Billy Boy,
Did they wash you down the stair, charming Billy?
Yes, they washed me down the stair
And they rearranged my hair
With a club in the City Hall rotunda.

Were there pigeons in the square, Billy Boy, Billy Boy,
Were there pigeons in the square, charming Billy?
There were pigeons in the square,
And stool pigeons on the air,
And they fouled up the City Hall rotunda.

Did they set for you a chair, Billy Boy, Billy Boy,
Did they set for you a chair, charming Billy?
No, the D.A.R. was there,
And there wasn't room to spare,
So we stood in the City Hall rotunda.

Was the House Committee there, Billy Boy, Billy Boy,
Was the House Committee there, charming Billy?
The Committee it was there,
Spreading slander everywhere,
While we sang in the City Hall rotunda.

Did the people think it fair, Billy Boy, Billy Boy,
Did the people think it fair, charming Billy?
No, they didn't think it fair,
And they notified the Mayor,
And he wept, and he wept, and he wept and he wept,
While they mopped up the City Hall Rotunda.


Malvina Reynolds songbook(s) in which the music to this song appears:
---- Little Boxes and Other Handmade Songs

Malvina Reynolds recording(s) on which this song is performed:
---- [none]


*                 *                 *                 *                *

http://people.wku.edu/charles.smith/MALVINA/mr013.htm
This page copyright 2006 by Charles H. Smith and Nancy Schimmel. All rights reserved.

Return to Song Menu
Return to Home