A popular song from 1911.
Words by Harry Williams.
Music by Egbert Van Alstyne.
The sheet music:
Accompaniment by James Pitt-Payne:
Lyrics
- Big Bill Taylor was a bach’lor boy
Joy! oh, Joy!
Midnight sailor in the town of Troy
Ship a-hoy
Ev’ry night his one delight
Was stealing married men
Away from home, with him to roam
Before the clock struck ten
They loved their wives more than their lives
Till Bill would trill to them
Chorus
Good-night ladies, we must leave you soon
Merrily we roll along with Mister Moon
Sailing, sailing all over town
Tonight’s the night, put out your light
And come on down
- Wives all gathered on a winding stair
Gloom! oh, Gloom!
With what furniture they cared to spare
And a broom
“Come in Bill and have a Jill”
But after he got there
Then through the door he promptly tore
Accompanied by a chair
And as he beat it down the street
He murmured in despair
Chorus
Good-night ladies, I must leave you soon
Merrily we roll along with Mister Moon
Sailing, sailing all over town
Tonight’s the night, you win the fight
But don’t come down