Note 57 — BILLY, MY SON.

Another version was obtained from Yorkshire: Where have you been all the day, My boy Billy? Where have you been all the day, My boy Billy? I have been all the day Courting of a lady gay; Although she is a young thing, And just come from her mammy! Is she fit to be thy love, My boy Billy? She is as fit to be my love, As my hand is for my glove, Although she is, &c. Is she fit to be thy wife, My boy Billy? She is as fit to be my wife, As my blade is for my knife; Although she is, &c. How old may she be, My boy Billy? Twice six, twice seven, Twice twenty and eleven; Although she is, &c.