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Billy Taylor

from The First Sangs by Iona Fyfe

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about

A very popular song in Scots, English and Irish song Tradition. Otherwise known as Willie Taylor, the song theme is found in English and Irish variants. Billy Taylor is said to be the “music hall parody” of Bold William Taylor. Billy Taylor can otherwise be found in Volume 1 of the Greig Duncan Folk Song Collection.

lyrics

Billy Taylor was a sailor, he was courtin' a fair lady
Instead o Billy gettin' married, he was pressed and forced tae sea
But his bride soon followed after under the name of Richard Carr
Snaw-white fingers, long and slender, covered ower wi' pitch and tar

She's dressed hersel in sailor's clothing, oh but she was a bonnie young man
Away she sailed upon the ocean, all aboard the Mary Anne
A storm blew up upon the water, she bein' there amang the rest
The win’ blew off her silver buttons and there appeared her snow-white breast

"Well, now," said the captain, "My dear lady, what misfortune brought you here?"
"Oh I come in search o my true lover who you have pressed the other year"
"Well," said the captain, "My dear lady, tell tae me this young man's name"
"Some folk call him Billy Taylor, William Taylor is his name"

"Well," said the captain, "My dear lady, tell tae me this young man's name"
"Some folk call him Billy Taylor, William Taylor is his name"

"Well, if Billy Taylor's your dear lover, then he has proved tae you untrue
He's got married tae another and left you here alone tae rue
But if ye rise up early in the mornin', early at the break of day
There you'll spy young William Taylor, walkin' wi' his lady gay"

She rose early up the next mornin', early at the break of day
There she spied young William Taylor walkin' with his lady gay
Gun and pistol she commanded, gun and pistol by her side
And there she shot young William Taylor walkin' with his new-made bride

credits

from The First Sangs, released March 1, 2015
Iona Fyfe: vocals, piano

license

all rights reserved

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about

Iona Fyfe Scotland, UK

Aberdeenshire folksinger, Iona Fyfe, has become one of Scotland’s finest young folk singers, rooted in the singing traditions of the North East of Scotland. The first ever singer to win the coveted title of Musician of the Year at the MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards 2021, Iona has been described as “one of the best Scotland has to offer.” (Global-Music.de)

www.ionafyfe.com
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