John Riley

Fair young maid all in a garden
Stange young man, passerby
He said, 'Fair maid, will you marry me?'
This then, sir, was her reply:
Oh, no, kind sir, I cannot marry thee
For Ive a love who sails all on the sea.
Hes been gone for seven years
Still no man shall marry me
What if hes in some battle slain
Or drownded (sic) in the deep salt sea
What if hes found another love
And he and his love both married be?
Well, if hes in some battle slain
I will go and mourn all on his grave
And if hes drowned in the deep salt sea
Ill be true to his memory
And if hes found another love
And he and his love both married be
Ill wish them health and happiness
Where they dwell across the sea
He picked her up all in his arms
Kisses gave her: One, two, three
Said, Here am I, my own true love
I am your long-lost John Riley!