Billy Boy

by Millard Lampell (1941)
[authorship also claimed by Pete Seeger and Lee Hays]

Will you go to the war, Billy boy, Billy boy?
Will you go to the war, charmin' Billy?
It's a long ways away, they are dying every day.
He's a young boy and cannot leave his mother.

Can you use a bayonet, Billy boy, Billy boy?
Can you use a bayonet, charmin' Billy?
No, I haven't got the skill to murder and to kill...

Don't you want a silver medal, Billy boy, Billy boy?
Don't you want a silver medal, charmin' Billy?
No desire do I feel to defend Republic Steel...

Don't you want to see the world, Billy boy, Billy boy?
Don't you want to see the world, charmin' Billy?
No, it wouldn't be much thrill to die for Dupont in Brazil...

Girls would like your uniform, Billy boy, Billy boy.
Girls would like your uniform, charmin' Billy.
They wouldn't get much chance to love me with six feet of earth above me...

Are you afraid to fight, Billy boy, Billy boy?
Are you afraid to fight, charmin' Billy?
You can come around to me when England's a democracy...

Will they take you from my side, Billy boy, Billy boy?
Will they take you from my side, charmin' Billy?
Don't you worry, mother dear, I'm a-stayin' over here....