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Bill Bailey

Words and Music by Hughie Cannon - 1902

Verse:
Dm	-	-	-
-	-	-	-
C	-	F	-              A
Dm	-	-	-
-	-	-	-
C7	-	F	-
Chorus:
F	-	-	-
-	-	C7	-
-	-	-	-
-	-	F	-
-	-	-	-
-	F7	Bb	-
-	G7            Bdim	F	D7
G7	C7	F              C7	F         (C7 to chorus)

8-beat intro.  Play 4-beats for each cell, reading from left to right.

The melody of the song "Bourbon Street Parade" can be played along with the chorus of "Bill Bailey".

Listen to both songs played together in the key of F (click here).

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Verse:

On one summer's day Sun was shining fine,

The lady love of old Bill Bailey was hanging clother on de line

In her back yard, and weeping hard;

She married a B. and O. brakeman, Dat took and throw'd her down,

Bellering like a prune fed calf, wid a big gang hanging 'round;

And to dat crowd, She yelled out loud:

 

Chorus:

"Won't you come home, Bill Bailey?" Won't you come home?"

She moans the whole day long.

"I'll do the cooking, darling, I'll pay the rent.

I know I've done you wrong.

Member that rainy eve that I drove you out

With nothing but a fine tooth comb?

I know I'm to blame. Well ain't that a shame?

Bill Bailey, won't you please come home?"

_______

 

Watch the WineLand Banjo Band play "Bill Bailey" (youtube)

 

Listen to the Red Garter "Strugglers" play "Bill Bailey" (youtube, timestamp 5:40)

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Songs that have similar chord progression as Bill Bailey include:

Amapola, Beer Barrell Polka, Hindustan, Just Because, Mexicali Rose,

Moonlight and Roses, Over the Waves, Tiger Rag ("hold that tiger" strain),

Under the Double Eagle, Walk Right Back, Washington and Lee Swing.
_______

Arranged by Jim Bottorff

 

This Chord Chart may not appear correctly with some browsers.  It should be viewed with a full size window.  

The chord names should appear in single rows except at the Repeat/End.   Let me know of any problems.

email: jbott@ix.netcom.com