One night as I lay musing, in my silent bed alone.
Some rambling thoughts came to my mind which caused me to roam.
On
leaving mynative country and going over Brogh Brea
Was there I met my own true love and she begged with me to stay.
Saying
stay at home Johnny boy and do not go away,
For I'll have none to comfort me when you are on the sea,
My wages I will
give to you when Spring time it is o're.
If you join your hand in wedlock band and say you'll roam no more.
He
took her by the waste so small and he held her hard and fast,
Our ship it sails tomorrow and I must be in Belfast,
So
away out on the lough she went with the free and plesent gael
And thanks on to Jehova we got a plesent sail.
But
when we reached the other side the strangers gathered 'round.
They told us that we were not fit, the harvest to cut down,
They
sent straight back home again to never more be seen,
So without delay we took our way straight back to Erin Green.
When
Mary heard her John was home she jumped aloft with joy,
Saying you are welcome to my arms my dear and my darling boy.
The
Eel and Trout may sport about around the lovely shore,
But them all stray as they will, she's mine forever more