John Riley lyrics

JOHN RILEY

As I went out one morning early,
To breathe the sweet and pleasant air,
Who should I spy but a fair young maiden;
She seemed to me like a lily fair.

I stepped to her add kindly asked her,
`Would you like to be a bold sailor`s wife?`
`Oh no kind sir,` she quickly answered,
`I choose to lead a sweet single life.`

`What makes you different from other women?
What makes you different from other kind?
For you are young, sweet, beautiful and handsome,
And for to marry you, I might incline.`

`It`s now kind sir that I must tell you.
I might have been married three years ago
To one John Riley who left this country.
He`s been the cause of my overthrow.`

`He courted me both late and early.
He courted me both night and day.
And when he had once my affections gained,
He left me here and he went away.`

`Oh never mind for this Johnny Riley,
Oh come with me to the distant shore.
Why, we`ll sail o`er to Pennsylvany,
And bid adieu to Riley forever more.`

`I shan`t go with you to Pennsylvany,
Or go with you to the distant shore.
My heart is with Riley, my long lost lover
Although I`ll never see him no more.`

Oh, when he saw that her love was loyal,
He gave her kisses one, two, and three,
Saying, `I`m the man you once called Johnny Riley,
Saying `I`m the cause of your misery.`

`I`ve sailed the ocean, gained great promotion,
I`ve laid my money on the English shore,
And now we`ll marry, no longer tarry,
And I shall never deceive you any more.`

sung by Pete Seeger
See also WILLMARY~
@parting @reunion
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