John Riley - Ireland's Own Irish Folk Music Masters

Fair young maid all in her garden

Strange young man came riding by

Saying, «Fair young maid, will you marry me?»

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

Though 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 other love

He and his love both married be?»

«If he’s found some other love

He and his new love both married be

I wish them health and happiness

Where they now dwell far across the sea»

He picked her up all in his arms

And kisses gave her one, two, and three

Saying, «Weep no more, my own true love

I am your long-lost John Riley»

Saying, «Weep no more, my own true love

For I’m your long-lost John Riley»