The version I sing (in the shower, or to stay awake while driving):
A fair young maid, all in a garden Strange young man come ridin' by He asked her for to marry him "This then sir, is my reply:
"Oh no, kind sir, I cannot marry thee For I've a love who sails upon the sea. Though he's been gone for seven years No man on earth shall marry me."
"What if he's in some battle slain, Or if he's drowned in the deep salt sea, Or if he's found another love And in some far place they married be?"
"If he's in some battle slain, The I shall die when the moon shall wane, Or if he's drowned in the deep salt sea, I still am true to his memeory.
"If he's found another love And in some far place they married be, Then I wish them health and happiness Where they live across the sea."
He picked her up in his arms so strong And kisses gave her one, two, three Saying, "Weep no more, my own true love, For I'm your long-lost John Riley."
Nearly identical in substance, but lacking a token. Your version has some effective compression-- that third verse in particular packs a lot into a small space. Wonder how the melodies compare.
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Date: 2013-09-20 03:33 am (UTC)A fair young maid, all in a garden
Strange young man come ridin' by
He asked her for to marry him
"This then sir, is my reply:
"Oh no, kind sir, I cannot marry thee
For I've a love who sails upon the sea.
Though he's been gone for seven years
No man on earth shall marry me."
"What if he's in some battle slain,
Or if he's drowned in the deep salt sea,
Or if he's found another love
And in some far place they married be?"
"If he's in some battle slain,
The I shall die when the moon shall wane,
Or if he's drowned in the deep salt sea,
I still am true to his memeory.
"If he's found another love
And in some far place they married be,
Then I wish them health and happiness
Where they live across the sea."
He picked her up in his arms so strong
And kisses gave her one, two, three
Saying, "Weep no more, my own true love,
For I'm your long-lost John Riley."
Nearly identical in substance, but lacking a token. Your version has some effective compression-- that third verse in particular packs a lot into a small space. Wonder how the melodies compare.