John Riley

[Verse 1]

Fair young maid all in a garden

Strange young man, passerby

Said, "Fair maid, will you marry me?"

This then, sir, was her reply

[Verse 2]

"Oh, no, kind sir, I cannot marry thee

For I've a love who sails all on the seas

He's been gone for seven years

Still no man shall marry me"

[Verse 3]

"What if he's in some battle slain?

Or drownded in the deep salt sea?

What if he's found another love

And he and his love both married be?"

[Verse 4]

"Well, if he's in some battle slain

I will die when the moon doth wane

If he's drowned in the deep salt sea

I'll be true to his memory

[Verse 5]

And if he's found another love

And he and his love both married be

I'll wish them health and happiness

Where they dwell across the sea"

[Verse 6]

He picked her up all in his arms

Kisses gave her, one, two, three

Saying "Wait no more, my own true love

I am your long-lost John Riley!"

[Refrain]

Saying "Wait no more, my own true love

I am your long-lost John Riley!"