Billy Johnson's Ball

DESCRIPTION: On his first wedding anniversary Johnson throws a party to celebrate it (and the arrival of a baby six months earlier). Johnson dances with all the girls; Mrs. Johnson gets jealous; the singer can't tell how it ended; he woke next morning under the table
AUTHOR: unknown
EARLIEST DATE: 1952 (recorded from Peter Reilly by Kennedy)
LONG DESCRIPTION: On his first wedding anniversary Billy Johnson throws a party to celebrate the occasion (and the arrival of a baby six months earlier). The baby is introduced, Mrs. Johnson faints, someone gives her a drop to drink, and the dancing begins. Families are introduced; the party moves to a pub; Johnson dances with all the girls, and Mrs. Johnson gets jealous; the singer can't tell you how it all ended, only that he woke the next morning underneath the table
KEYWORDS: jealousy pride marriage dancing drink party baby family wife humorous
FOUND IN: Ireland
REFERENCES (1 citation):
Kennedy-FolksongsOfBritainAndIreland 266, "Billy Johnson's Ball" (1 text, 1 tune)
Roud #2139
NOTES [34 words]: Kennedy-FolksongsOfBritainAndIreland, in his usual inexplicable way, compares this to Percy French's "Phil the Flut(h)er's Ball." The only connection I can see is that they're both about Irish parties. - RBW
File: K266

Go to the Ballad Search form
Go to the Ballad Index Song List

Go to the Ballad Index Instructions
Go to the Ballad Index Bibliography or Discography