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Hughie Cannon wrote “Won’t You Come Home Bill Bailey” in 1902, but the song was popularized by Lloyd Price (on 1952’s "Lawdy, Miss Clawdy"), Louis Armstrong, Bobby Darin (reaching #19 in 1960), Sarah Vaughan (on 1963’s Sassy Swings the Tivoli), and Carol Channing. The title character is a railroad workman, and the song tells the story of a woman weeping for having kicked her hubby out. Originally a mix of big band and blues, most modern versions are barbershop or boogie-woogie. Phish has performed the song (in the latter format) six times, all with Page’s father on lead vocals and all but one on southern swings near the McConnell home (the 6/20/04 performance at SPAC being the lone exception).

Watch Bill Bailey, Won't You Please Come Home? on Vimeo "Bill Bailey, Won't You Please Come Home?" 10/15/10 North Charleston, SC (with Dr. Jack McConnell)

(Cannon)
© Universal Polygram International Publishing Inc. (ASCAP)

Won't you come home, Bill Bailey, won't you come home
I've moaned the whole night long
I'll do the cookin', honey, I'll pay the rent
I know I done you wrong

You remember that rainy evenin'
I threw you out....with nothin' but a fine tooth comb
Ya, I know I'm to blame, now... ain't it a shame
Bill Bailey, won't you please come home

Won't you come home, Bill Bailey, won't you come on home
I've moaned that whole day long
I'll do all the cookin' honey, I'll even pay the rent
I know, that I have done you, oh so, wrong

You remember that rainy evenin'
I throwed you out, with nothin but a fine tooth comb
I know I'm to blame, now... ain't it a shame
So baby, won't you please come

I said now, won't you please come

Bill Bailey, won't you please.... come on home