Lyrics:
First verse
On one summer's day Sun was shining fine, The lady love of old Bill Bailey was hanging clothes 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 prunefed 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 de whole day long; I'll do de cooking, darling, I'll pay de rent; I knows I've done you wrong; ‘Menber dat rainy eve dat I drove you out, Wid nothing but a fine tooth comb? I knows I'se To blame; well, ain't dat a shame? Bill Bailey, won't you please come home? home?
Second verse
Bill drove by dat door In an automobile, A great big diamond, coach and footman, hear dat big wench squeal; "" He's all alone I heard her groan; She hollered thro' that door, ""Bill Bailey, is you sore? Stop a minute; won't you listen to me? Won't I see you no more? "" Bill winked his eye, As he heard her cry:
(Chorus)