[Verse]
Fair young maid all in a garden
Strange young man, passerby
Said, "Fair maid, will you marry me?"
This then, sir, was her reply

[Verse]
"Oh, no, kind sir, I cannot marry thee
For I've a love who sails all on the seas
He's been gone for seven years
Still no man shall marry me"

[Verse]
"What if he's in some battle slain?
Or drownded in the deep salt sea?
What if he's found another love
And he and his love both married be?"

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

[Verse]
And if he's found another love
And he and his love both married be
I'll wish them health and happiness
Where they dwell across the sea"
[Verse]
He picked her up all in his arms
Kisses gave her, one, two, three
Saying "Wait no more, my own true love
I am your long-lost John Riley!"
Saying "Wait no more, my own true love
I am your long-lost John Riley!"