Billy Bayou
Billy Bayou's Tale: Adventures, Love, and Louisiana Life
Lyrics
Back about eighteen hundred and some
Refers to the early 1800s.
A Louisiana couple had a red-headed son
Describes a Louisiana couple with a red-headed son.
No name suited him, Jim, Jack or Joe
Parents couldn't find a suitable name; he became Billy Bayou.
They just called him Billy Bayou
Introduced as "Billy Bayou."
Billy, Billy Bayou, watch where you go
Advises Billy to be cautious in his actions.
If you're walkin' on quicksand, walk slow
Warns against walking too fast on quicksand.
Billy, Billy Bayou, watch what you say
Cautions Billy about his words.
A pretty girl'll get you one of these days
Suggests that talking to a pretty girl might lead to trouble.
Billy was a boy, kinda big for his size
Describes Billy as a big boy with red hair and freckles.
Red hair and freckles and big blue eyes
Highlights Billy's physical features.
Thirteen years from the day he was born
Specifies Billy's age, thirteen.
Billy fought the battle of the little big horn
Refers to a battle Billy faced, metaphorically the challenges of life.
Billy, Billy Bayou, watch where you go
Reiterates the need for caution in Billy's actions.
If you're walkin' on quicksand, walk slow
Reemphasizes the danger of quicksand, advising slow progress.
Billy, Billy Bayou, watch what you say
Repeats the caution about Billy's speech.
A pretty girl'll get you one of these days
Reiterates the risk involved in interacting with pretty girls.
One sad day Billy cried ho ho
Reports an incident where Billy claims he can defeat Geronimo.
I can lick the feathers off of gee-ron-imo
Describes Billy's bold statement about defeating Geronimo.
He started off, the chief got mad
Narrates the conflict that arises from Billy's boast.
This nearly ended our Louisiana lad
Indicates the potential danger to Billy's life.
Billy, Billy Bayou, watch where you go
Reiterates the need for Billy to be cautious.
If you're walkin' on quicksand, walk slow
Advises careful walking on quicksand.
Billy, Billy Bayou, watch what you say
Repeats the warning about Billy's words.
A pretty girl'll get you one of these days
Reiterates the potential consequences of interacting with pretty girls.
One day in eighteen seventy-eight
Shifts to the year 1878 and introduces a new character, a pretty girl.
A pretty girl walked through Bill's front gate
Describes the girl entering Billy's life.
He didn't know whether to stand there, or run
Portrays Billy's dilemma when confronted with the girl.
He wound up married 'cause he didn't either one
Explains Billy's unexpected marriage due to indecision.
Billy, Billy Bayou, watch where you go
Reiterates the importance of caution in Billy's actions.
If you're walkin' on quicksand, walk slow
Emphasizes the need for slow progress on treacherous ground.
Billy, Billy Bayou, watch what you say
Repeats the caution regarding Billy's speech.
A pretty girl'll get you one of these days
Reiterates the potential risks of engaging with pretty girls.
A pretty girl'll get you one of these days
Concludes by reinforcing the idea that pretty girls can pose a risk to Billy.
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