John Riley

This song has been covered by everyone from the Byrds to Joan Baez and even Odetta (who has sort of been forgotten about but I have one of her records... she plays guitar). It's the one I was talking about in the last entry.

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 Ive a love who sails the deep salt sea
Though hes been gone these seven years
Still no man shall marry me

What if hes died all in some battle slain
Or if hes drownded in, in the deep salt sea?
What if hes found some other love
He and his new love both married be?

If hes found some other love
He and his new love both married be
I wish them health and happiness
Where they have love far across the sea

He picked her up all in his arms
And kisses gave her one, two and three
Then 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