[WARNING: This song contains antiquated racial stereotypes. It is presented here for historical and educational purposes only.]
A solo minstrel song
Arranged by P. F. Fallon
Published by Lee & Walker, Philadelphia, 1836
The sheet music:
Accompaniment by Benjamin R. Tubb:
Lyrics
1. Oh ladies and gentlemen how do you do
I’ve come out before you with one boot and shoe
I don not know how it tis, but some how tis so
Oh! isn’t it hard upon Billy Barlow
Refrain:
Oh! Oh! ragedy oh!
Now isn’t it hard upon Billy Barlow
2. As I was walking down street gist tother day
The people all gazed and some of ’em did say
Why that fellow there, why he aint so slow
Humph I guess not says a lady that’s Mr. Barlow
3. They say there’s been a robbery committed in town
I don’t know who could have done it but Canker the clown
I feel perfectly safe I’d have you to know
I should like to see a man try to rob Billy Barlow
4. I went to the Races gist the other day
The man that keeps the gate asked me to pay
Pay, says I, and looked at him so
O you can pass on on, I know you, you are Billy Barlow
5. I hadn’t been long you must know on the course
When the good people all flocked around me of course
Asking who’s that gemman, does anyone know
Why, yes, that’s the fat chap that sings Billy Barlow
6. Oh dear bless my soul, I’m tired of this life
I wish in my heart I could get a good wife
If there’s any young lady here in want of a Beau
Let her fly to the arms of young William Barlow
7. They say there’s a wild Beast show come to town
Of Lions and Monkeys and Porcupines too
But if they start to show I’ll beat them I know
For they aint got a varmint like Billy Barlow
8. They tried to buy me to go with that show
But the Monkeys got jealous and the Lion snapped at me too
The Hyeana growled, and looked at me so
Thinks I twill never do for you Mr. Billy Barlow
9. I’m sure I was born, but where I cant tell
My Mother never told me I know very well
But I’ve grown up, that all of you know
For perfection itself just look at Billy Barlow
10. There’s been a nigger here singing about a long tail Blue
But he aint a patching and that’s very true
If you want to cut of a coat or anything so
Just look at the rigging of Billy Barlow
11. The Tailors in town are all running after me
To get the cut of my clothes that’s plain to see
But before they can get them I’ll just let you know
They must spill out the rhino to Mr. Barlow
12. Dinah Rosa, has reported that I’ve got married
I wish here she had a little longer tarried
If she had, I’d caught and choked her ges so
She don’t know how she has abused Billy Barlow
13. Oh ladies and gemmen I bid you good bye
I’ll get a new suit when clothes aint so high
My hat’s shocking bad, that all of you know
Yet it looks well on the head of this Billy Barlow
Sung here by Fred Feild: