Bill Bailey, Won't You Please Come Home?

One of the most popular songs since the turn of the (last) century, written by song-and-dance man Hughie Cannon. Legend has it he wrote it at age 16, thought that appears to be myth, since it's first known performance wasn't until 1902, when he was 24.
He wrote it about his real-life neighbor, Bill Bailey, whose wife would often throw him out of the house when she got upset about his late-night carousing. These days, we would probably think her justified. Bill Bailey may have been a louse.
The song may actually have been more personal. Hughie never married, but his career (and his life) fell apart as he spiraled into alcohol and opium dependency. He died in 1912, at age 34.
The song has been covered by Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald, Pearl Bailey, Patsy Cline, Aretha Franklin, Brenda Lee, Phish, Harry Connick Jr. (which of course means Michael Buble also did it, because Michael covers everything Harry does). It was a #1 hit in 1902 in a performance by Arthur Collins.
#100YearOldSongs

[@GoGod777]

I love it!! You two are fabulous!

[@WTFaulkner]

Thank you for the kind words!

[@tylerstanley578]

Wow. Loving the call and tell style!

[@MikeandMandy]

Hah! Thanks Tyler. Yeah, we thought it odd that we never heard Bill's side of the story. He's kind of a baby. :-p

[@MarkSD]

Dig

[@MikeandMandy]

Thanks Mark!