Won't You Come Home, Bill Bailey

Bio
Won't You Come Home, Bill Bailey is a popular Jazz song published in 1902. Originally titled "Bill Bailey, Won't You Please Come Home?," it was written and created by American song-writer and pianist Hughie Cannon using a 32-bar chord sequence. The song has become famous as a post-war, often performed by USO shows around the country. Ginger and Mary Ann perform the song in order to stall King Kaliwani from abducting Gilligan disguised as "Gillianna."

Lyrics
One one summer's day Sun was shinin' fine The lady love of old Bill Bailey Was hangin' clothes on the line In her back yard, And weepin' hard. She married a B&O brakeman That took and throwed her down, Bellerin' like a prune-fed calf With a big gang hanging round And to that crowd, She hollered loud, Won't you come home, Bill Bailey Won't you come home? She moans the whole day long. I'll do the cookin', darling I'll pay the rent, I know I've done you wrong; Remember that rainy eve that I threw you out, With nothing but a fine-tooth comb? I know I'm to blame, Well, ain't that a shame Bill Bailey won't you please come home. Bill drove by that door In an automobile, A great big diamond, coach and footman Hear that lady squeal. He's all alone I heard her groan. She hollered through the door Bill Bailey, is you sore? Stop a minute, listen to me Won't I see you no more? Bill winks his eye As he heard her cry... Won't you come home, Bill Bailey Won't you come home? She moans the whole day long. I'll do the cookin', darling I'll pay the rent, I know I've done you wrong; Remember that rainy eve that I threw you out, With nothing but a fine-tooth comb? I know I'm to blame, Well, ain't that a shame Bill Bailey won't you please come home.

Trivia

 * The song was a #1 hit for entertainer Arthur Collins in July 1902. Other artists who have covered the song are Louis Armstrong, Kid Ory, Patsy Cline, Bobby Darin, Aretha Franklin, Brenda Lee, Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan, Jimmy Durante, Phish, Danny Barker, Harry Connick Jr, Renee Olstead, Michael Bublé, Sam Cooke and others. It made the Billboard Hot 100 in 1961 for singer and actress Della Reese, who made it a part of her performance repertoire.

Episodes(s)

 * Gilligan the Goddess