John Riley

Fair young maid alone in a garden
Strange young man pass her by
Says, «Fair maid, will you marry me?»
This answer was her reply:
«Oh no, kind sir, I cannot marry thee
For I’ve a love who sails on all the seas
He’s been gone for seven years
Still, no man shall marry me»
«What if he’s in some battle slain
Or drownded in the deep salt sea?
But if he’s found another love then
He and his love will bury me»
«If he’s in some battle slain
I will die when the moon doth wane
Die when the moon doth wane
And if he’s drownded in the sea
I will be true to his memory»
«And if he’s found another love
And he and his love both married be
I wish them health and happiness
Where they dwell across the sea»
Oh, well, he picked her up all in his arms
And kisses gave her one, two, three
Saying, «Weep no more, my own true love
I am your long lost lost John Riley!»
Saying, «Weep no more, my own true love
I am your long lost John Riley!»
«I've been gone for seven years
But I see you’ve been
True to me»