Can she bake a cherry pie, charming Billy?
My mother had a pretty impressive collection of nursery songs that she used to comfort a sick or sleepy child. She always had a baby in her arms (her own, a relative's, a neighbor's...and the standing joke was that she always had a baby in her arms if it was time to do the dishes!). We all loved to hear her sweet and calming voice as she held us in her rocking chair. One of my favorites was the English folk song Billy Boy, which I also used when rocking my own children.
About thirty years Enesco came out with a line of figurines called Memories of Yesterday, designed from the art of Mabel Lucie Attwell, a very popular British illustrator in the early 1900's. She was known for her cute, nostalgic drawings of children, based on her daughter, Peggy. She was so popular in England that in 1921, J.M Barrie personally requested her to illustrate the gift-book edition of Peter Pan.
I thought the figurines were charming, and my mother started gifting me ones that had a connection to my childhood memories. I can't wait to show you all of them over the next few weeks! Today's figurine is linked to my favorite nursery rhyme/folksong that comforted generations of children. I can't wait until I am a grandmother and can sing it again! Here's Mabel's illustration of a proud young baker; isn't she cute?
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| I had to use my older camera for this picture, so I apologize for the poor quality, but I love the memories associated with this piece...every time I look at it I can hear Mother and one of her 'rocking songs' ! |
Billy Boy
Oh, where have you been,
Billy Boy, Billy Boy?
Oh, where have you been,
Charming Billy?
I have been to seek a wife,
She's the joy of my life,
She's a young thing
And cannot leave her mother.
Did she ask you to come in,
Billy Boy, Billy Boy?
Did she ask you to come in,
Charming Billy?
Yes, she asked me to come in,
There's a dimple in her chin.
She's a young thing
And cannot leave her mother.
Can she make a cherry pie,
Billy Boy, Billy Boy?
Can she make a cherry pie,
Charming Billy?
She can make a cherry pie,
Quick as a cat can wink an eye,
She's a young thing
And cannot leave her mother.
Billy Boy, Billy Boy?
Oh, where have you been,
Charming Billy?
I have been to seek a wife,
She's the joy of my life,
She's a young thing
And cannot leave her mother.
Did she ask you to come in,
Billy Boy, Billy Boy?
Did she ask you to come in,
Charming Billy?
Yes, she asked me to come in,
There's a dimple in her chin.
She's a young thing
And cannot leave her mother.
Can she make a cherry pie,
Billy Boy, Billy Boy?
Can she make a cherry pie,
Charming Billy?
She can make a cherry pie,
Quick as a cat can wink an eye,
She's a young thing
And cannot leave her mother.
I'm linking today to Claudia's Favorite Thing Saturdays, where you can find all sorts of wonderful collections and memories.
http://mockingbirdhillcottage.com/
Oh no - you did it. Now I want to collect these. I love old vintage illustrations like the ones you've shown. Where do you find these figurines?
ReplyDeleteCan you tell I want to do an eBay search?
xo
Claudia
I love this post, so charming. I had forgotten all about "charming Billy", now I'm singing it in my head. :) I adore Mabel Attwell's illustrations and your figurine is darling - can't wait to see your collection.
ReplyDeleteHappy week to you!
That little figurine is so charming, Martha! My grandmother and mother both sang to me when I was small and it's a lovely memory to have. Thank you so much for sharing these illustrations, too. They're so pretty. I can easily picture Peter Pan with these little ones.
ReplyDelete