From the musical “Hodge, Podge & Co,” 1900
Words by Walter H. Ford and Geo. V. Hobart
Music by John W. Bratton
The sheet music:
Accompaniment by James Pitt-Payne:
Lyrics
- She was a simple country lass
And William from his Harvard class
More pleasantly the time to pass
Essayed flirtation, Essayed flirtation
Essayed flirtation
And as they strolled in twilight dim
This joyous youth and maiden prim
He asked her if she’d have from him
A billet doux, A billet doux, a billet doux
A billet doux! A billet doux!
That’s what he said, no wouldn’t you?
He meant he’d like to write her
Some words of love indite her
A billet doux, A billet doux, a billet doux - Of French this simple maid knew naught
But still the very pleasing thought
That William’s meaning she had caught
Gave her elation, Gave her elation
Gave her elation
She turned to him her pretty head
Put up her rosy lips so red
For purpose plain, and coyly said
“Yes, Billy do”
And Billy did, Oh, Billy did
Oh, Billy did! Oh, Billy did!
That’s what he did, now wouldn’t you?
There was no need to write her
He had the chance to bite her
Oh, Billy do! Oh, Billy do!
And Billy did! - She understood the term alright
And Billy’s nerve was shattered quite
The moon discreetly hid from sight
Like “Peeping Thomas,” Like “Peeping Thomas”
Like “Peeping Thomas”
For witnesses all hate to serve
Subpoenas always shake their nerve
And from the path of truth they swerve
And Billy did, Yes, Billy did
Oh, Billy did
Oh, Billy did! Oh, Billy do!
He fibbed a lot, now wouldn’t you?
He saw a chance to crawl out
He said they’d had a fall out
Oh, Billy do! Oh, Billy do, And Billy did!
Sung by Fred Feild: