Tell old Bill when he leaves home this mornin', tell old Bill when he leaves home this evenin',
  Tell old Bill when he leaves home to let those downtown girls alone, this mornin', this evenin', so soon.
  
  Old Sal was bakin' bread this mornin'. Old Sal was bakin' bread this evenin'.
  Old Sal was bakin' bread when she got word that Bill was dead, this mornin', this evenin', so soon.
  
  Oh, no! It can't be so this mornin'. Oh, no! It can't be so this evenin'.
  Oh, no! It can't be so. My Bill left home about an hour ago, this mornin', this evenin', so soon.
  
  They brought Bill home in a hurry-up wagon this mornin'. They brought Bill home in a hurry-up wagon this evenin'.
  Brought Bill home in a hurry-up wagon. Brought Bill home with his toes a-draggin' this mornin', this evenin', so soon. This mornin', this evenin', so soon. (Repeat first verse)