“Hard Times and Old Bill”

Description

"Old Ailey Bill came home from court" and stops at a bar (?) "to have some sport. And it's hard times and poor old Bill." Will McNealey hides under a bed, sees what happens, steals a frying pan, sells it, and beats his wife

Notes

For the life of me, I can't tell what this is about. I suspect that it is based on a real incident, but that several verses have been lost from Henry's seemingly unique text. - RBW

References

1. MHenry-Appalachians, p. 11, "Hard TImes and Old Bill" (1 text)
2. BI, MHAp011.