Fair young maid all in her garden 
Strange young man passer by 
Says, "Fair young maid, will you marry me?"
This then, sir, was her reply

"Oh no, kind sir, I cannot marry thee
For I've a love who sails across the sea 
Though he's been gone these seven years 
Still no man shall marry me"

"What if he's  in some battle slain? 
Or if he's drowned in, in the deep salt sea?
What if he's found another love? 
He and his love both married be?"

"If he's in some battle slain
I will die, when the moon doth wane,
and if he's drownded in the deep salt sea,
I'll be true to his memory

And if he's found another love 
and He and his new love both married be
I wish them health and happiness 
Where they dwell across the sea"

He picked her up all in his arms 
And kisses gave her one, two and three
Saying "Weep no more, my own true love 
I am your long lost John Riley"

Saying, "Weep no more, my own true love
I am  your long lost John Riley"