Part 1 — 1. Billy Boy.

(NORTHUMBRIAN CAPSTAN SHANTY.)

[Listen]

1. Where hev ye been äal the day, Billy Boy, Billy Boy? Where hev ye been äal the day, me Billy Boy? I've been walkin' äal the day With me charmin' Nancy Grey, And me Nancy kittl'd me fancy Oh me charmin' Billy Boy.

2. Is she fit to be yor wife Billy Boy, Billy Boy? Is she fit to be yor wife, me Billy Boy? She's as fit to be me wife As the fork is to the knife And me Nancy, etc. 3. Can she cook a bit o' steak Billy Boy, Billy Boy? Can she cook a bit o' steak, me Billy Boy? She can cook a bit o' steak, Aye, and myek a gairdle cake And me Nancy, etc. 4. Can she myek an Irish Stew Billy Boy, Billy Boy? Can she myek an Irish Stew, me Billy Boy? She can myek an Irish Stew Aye, and "Singin' Hinnies" too. And me Nancy, etc.

Glossary:—

äal = all. Pronounced to rhyme with "shall" only the vowel must be very much prolonged.

kittled = tickled.

myek = make.

gairdle cake = girdle cake, i.e. a cake baked on a griddle.

Singin' Hinnies—i.e. a species of Sally Lunn teacake only larger. Usually plentifully besprinkled with currants, in which case it is designated by pitmen as "Singin' Hinnies wi' smäa co fizzors" (small coal fizzers.)