"John Riley" lyrics - ODETTA

Was a maid in a garden,
Strange young man came riding by,
Said, "Fair 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 along the sea.
He's been gone for seven years,
Still he will return to me."

"What if he's in some battle slain,
Or drownded in the deep salt sea?
Or what if he's found another love,
He and his love both married be?"

"If he's in some battle slain,
Then I shall die when the moon doth wain.
And if he's drownded in the deep salt sea,
I am 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 live across the sea."

Well, he picked her up in his arms so strong,
And kisses gave her one, two, three,
Saying, "Come, my love, come with me,
I am your long lost John Riley."
Saying "Come, my love, come to me,
I'm your long lost John Riley."