(B. Gibson and R. Neff)
Fair young maid all in her garden
Strange young man came riding by
Saying fair young maid will you marry me
And this then sir was her reply

Oh, no kind sir I cannot marry thee
For I've a love who sails the deep salt sea
He's been gone these seven years
Still no man shall marry me

What if he's died all in some battle slain
Or if he's drownded in the deep salt sea
What if he's found some another love
He and his new love both married be

If he's died all in some battle slain
I will die when the moon doth wane
If he's drownded in the deep salt sea
I`ll be [bad word] to his memory

If he's found some other love
He and his new love both married be
I wish them health and happiness
Where they now live all across the sea

He picked her up all in his arms
And kisses gave her one, two, three,
Saying weep no more my own [bad word] love
I am your long lost John Riley

© BMI