John Riley

Wendy Rule

There was a maid in a garden
In a garden
When a strange young man
Came wandering by
He said dear maid, please will you marry me?
To him these words she did reply

I’m sorry Sir
I cannot marry thee
For my true love
Still sails the deep salt sea
And he’s been gone
For seven years
And his name is John Riley

But what if he
In some battle is slain
Or he has drowned
In the deep salt sea
Or he has found another true love
And they by now both married be

Well then if he
In some battle is slain
Then I shall never smile again
And if he’s drowned
In the deep salt sea
Then I shall die
Before ever married I’ll be

And if he’s found another Love
And they by now both married be
I wish them all the joy of truelove
Where ere they lie
Or ere they be

He took her in his arms
Oh so strong
He gave her kisses one two and three
He said, dear maid, I am your true
I am your long lost John Riley
He said dear maid, I am your true love
I am you long lost John Riley