- Written by
- [Traditional]
- Language
- English
- Comments
-
SILLY BILL. Old Time, Breakdown and Song. USA, southwestern Va. F Major (Charlie Higgins): G Major (Al Hopkins). Standard tuning (fiddle). AA'BB'. "Silly Bill" was a popular comic stage song appearing under the title “Altogether Green (or ‘I Rather Think I Will’)” dating from the year 1856. Silly Bill was also a mid-19th century name for a clown, an entertainer who could be found at fairs and in street performances, and who played the stooge for another comic character. Perhaps propelled by the alliteration ("Silly Billy") the term became generalized to mean a foolish person. The tune was a Galax, Va., regional favorite, but the song (sung to various airs) enjoyed widespread popularity in the late 19th and early 20th century, and has been collected from Mississippi to Michigan.
Old Bill, poor Bill, poor old Silly Bill.
He wishes me to marry him, but I hardly think I will.
Silliest fellow, fellow I've ever seen;
He's neither black or yellow, but he's altogether green.
His name is not prince charming, he's only simple Bill;
He wishes me to marry him, but I hardly think I will. - Licensing
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Song
Versions
Silly Bill written by [Traditional] English
| Title | Performer | Release date | Info | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Silly Bill | The Hill Billies [US] | 1925 | First recording on January 15, 1925 First release |
||
| Silly Bill | The Russell Family | 1972 | |||
| Silly Bill | Bob Paisley & The Southern Grass | 1981 |
Silly Bill written by [Traditional] instrumental
| Title | Performer | Release date | Info | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| i | Silly Bill | The Mountain Ramblers | 1960 | ||
| i | Silly Bill | Andy Cahan - Laura Fishleder - Lisa Ornstein | 1978 | ||
| i | Silly Bill | Uncle Charlie Higgins, Wade Ward & Dale Poe | 2004 | Released more than 10 years after its recording | |
| i | Silly Bill | Kirk Sutphin & Riley Baugus | October 30, 2010 |