In The Bay of Biscay on Hearts of Gold, the returning sailor was, unfortunately, dead. John Riley is a cheerier example of the Returning Sailor song. Young John, returning from seven rough years at sea is unrecognizable even to his sweetheart. He takes the opportunity to test her love with a few questions and finds her ever faithful. We had never heard this song before we found it in a book, but, since we started to sing it we discovered that there are a number of different recorded versions out there. Well - Here's another. Hope you like ours
lyrics
John Riley
traditional
Fair young maid all in the garden
Strange young man pass her by
Said, "Fair maid, will you marry me?"
This then sir was her reply
"Oh no, kind sir, I cannot marry,
For I've a love who sails the sea.
He's been gone for these seven years,
Still no man shall marry me."
"What if he's in battle slain?
Or drowned in the deep salt sea?
What if he's found another love,
And that they both married be?"
"If he's in some battle slain
I'll die when the moon doth wane
If he's drowned in the deep salt sea,
I'll be true to his memory."
"If he's found another love,
And if they both married be
Then I wish them happiness
In their home across the sea."
He picked her up all in his arms
Kisses gave her, one two three
"Weep no more, my own true love,
I'm your long lost John Riley."
credits
from Round the Corner,
released January 1, 1997
Jarrod Kaplan on percussion
David Pascal: bass guitar
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