Billy Beaver

Cat. #0770 (MFH #698) - As sung by Ollie Gilbert, Mountain View, Arkansas on May 26, 1969

VERSE 1
Mammy, Mammy, now I' married
I wish how longer I had tarry'ed
For my wife, she does declare
That th britches she will wear

VERSE 2
Son, O Son, go home an' love 'er
Let me hear no more, your false discover
Every word she don't rebell
Take a stick an' beat 'er well

VERSE 3
He went home with a greatli wonder
At th door he rapped like thunder
Who is here, th beaver cried,
T'is my husband, you must hide

VERSE 4
In th yard, he holi ventured
In th house, he holi entered
Search both halls, up and down
Wasn't a soul to be found

VERSE 5
Up th chimney he was mazing
Up th chimney he was gaz'en
There he spied th wretched soul
Treesed upon th trammel pole

VERSE 6
Ha, ha, ha, glad I found you
Either hang or I'll drown you
I will stifle you with smole
All in thought, but never spoke

VERSE 7
He piled on a few more fuse
His wife cried out, my dearest do'es
If I be you lawfully wife
Take 'im down an' spare his life

VERSE 8
Down th chimley roughly took 'im
Like a racoon day, we shook'im
Never was a pot not again any nigger
Any blacker than Billy Beaver

VERSE 9
He went home, his wife she met 'im
She up with a club an' down she fetched 'im
Knocked his black eyes into red
Now poor Billy, he is dead

Variants