Love
Where have you been to-day, Billy, my son?
From The Nursery Rhymes of England, collected by J. O. Halliwell (London: Warne; first ed. 1842; this printing 1886)
Where have you been to-day, Billy, my son?
Where have you been to-day, my only man!
I've been a-wooing, mother; make my bed soon,
For I'm sick at heart, and fain would lay down.
What have you ate to-day, Billy, my son?
What have you ate to-day, my only man?
I've ate an eel-pie, mother; make my bed soon,
For I'm sick at heart, and shall die before noon!
Codex Note
Halliwell's class: Love and Matrimony.
Cite this poem
MLA
Anonymous (English nursery rhymes). “Where have you been to-day, Billy, my son?” Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/anonymous-english-nursery-rhymes/472/.
Chicago
Anonymous (English nursery rhymes). “Where have you been to-day, Billy, my son?” Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/anonymous-english-nursery-rhymes/472/.
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