Classic Poem

Are you going to the War,
Billy Boy, Billy Boy?
Are you going to the War,
Billy Boy?
Yes, I'm going to the War,
And I should have gone before;
But I hesitate no more—
Billy Boy.

Are you sailing on the sea,
Billy Boy, Billy Boy?
Are you sailing on the sea,
Billy Boy?
Yes, I'm sailing on the sea,
And I'm sick as I can be;
But that's all that's wrong with me—
Billy Boy.

Are you landed with the girls,
Billy Boy, Billy Boy?
Are you landed with the girls,
Billy Boy?
Yes, I'm landed with the girls,
With their red and raven curls,
And the lords and dooks and earls—
Billy Boy.

Are you fighting in the trench,
Billy Boy, Billy Boy?
Are you fighting in the trench,
Billy Boy?
Yes, I'm fighting in the trench,
And I'm fighting for the French,
In the heat and in the stench—
Billy Boy.

O he answered to the call,
Billy Boy, Billy Boy;
Now he answers not at all,
Billy Boy.
He is sleeping in his grave,
With the bravest of the brave,
Dead the Christian world to save,
Billy Boy!

O he sailed to take his chance,
Billy Boy, Billy Boy,
In retreat or in advance,
Billy Boy!
O he sailed to take his chance
In retreat or in advance—
Dead for Gundagai and France,
Billy Boy!
Dead for Hay and Yass and France,