Billy Barlow
© Traditional with added words by Nancy Stewart
This song may be downloaded for free and used for any purpose that is not for profit.

Once again my song of the month has been gleaned from my Sing With Our Kids Project. I recently met a wonderful librarian who contributed a great article on my Tips and Tricks from the Experts page. His five songs included a couple I didn’t know, and this is one of them. I modified the lyrics from hunting with a gun to fishing with a pole, but other than that, this is the song. I’ve found it stuck in my head, and the children I sing with at school visits are finding it equally irresistible! Be sure to read Rick’s article and what he says about the song and singing with kids. He’s a wonderful writer and his insight a both a new father and children’s librarian are great food for thought (no pun intended!).

1. “Let's go fishing,” says Risky Rob
“Let's go fishing,” says Robin to Bob
“Let's go fishing,” says Dan'l to Joe
“Let's go fishing,” says Billy Barlow

2. “What shall I fish for?” says Risky Rob
“What shall I fish for?” says Robin to Bob
“What shall I fish for?” says Dan'l to Joe
“Fish for a salmon,” says Billy Barlow

3. “How shall I get him?” says Risky Rob
“How shall I get him?” says Robin to Bob
“How shall I get him?” says Dan'l to Joe
“Go borrow a pole,” says, Billy Barlow

4. “How shall I haul him?” says Risky Rob
“How shall I haul him?” says Robin to Bob
“How shall I haul him?” says Dan'l to Joe
“Go borrow a wagon,” says Billy Barlow

5. “How shall we divide him?” says Risky Rob
“How shall we divide him?” says Robin to Bob
“How shall we divide him?” says Dan'l to Joe
“How shall we divide him?” says Billy Barlow

6. “I'll take a side,” says Risky Rob
“I'll take the other,” says Robin to Bob
“I'll take the head,” says Dan'l to Joe
“I’ll take the tail,” says Billy Barlow

7. “How shall we cook him?” says Risky Rob
“How shall we cook him?” says Robin to Bob
“How shall we cook him?” says Dan'l to Joe
“How shall we cook him?” says Billy Barlow

8. “I'll fry a side,” says Risky Rob
“I'll fry the other,” says Robin to Rob
“I'll boil the head,” says Dan'l to Joe
“I’ll eat the tail raw,” says Billy Barlow