Lyrics
John Riley was her true love's name
John Riley was the true love of the narrator.
An honest man was he
John Riley was an honest man.
He loved a farmer's daughter dear
He loved a farmer's daughter who was faithful.
As faithful as can be
The farmer's daughter was faithful to John Riley.
Her father, he had riches
The father of the farmer's daughter was wealthy.
But John Riley, he was poor
John Riley was poor despite the farmer's daughter's father being rich.
Because she loved this honest man
The farmer's daughter loved John Riley, but her father disapproved.
He would not her endure
John Riley could not endure the disapproval and challenges posed by the farmer's father.
"Oh mother dear, oh mother dear
The narrator seeks advice from her mother on where to send her love, John Riley.
Where shall I send my love?
The narrator feels John Riley's love deeply.
His very heart lies in my breast
John Riley's love is constant and true.
As constant as a dove"
The daughter emphasizes the depth of her love for John Riley.
"Oh, daughter dear, I'm not severe
The mother responds with generosity and offers a significant amount of money.
And here's a thousand pound
The mother suggests sending John Riley to America to buy land.
Send Riley to Americay
Encouragement to use the money to purchase land in America.
To purchase there some ground"
Soon as she's got the money
The daughter gets the money and rushes to John Riley.
To John Riley she did run
She urges him to leave that night to save his life from her father's threat.
"This very night to have your life
The father has ordered a gun to be charged against John Riley that night.
My father's charged the gun
The urgency of the situation is emphasized.
But here's a thousand pound in gold
The daughter gives John Riley a substantial amount of gold.
My mother sent to you
The mother has sent the gold to support John Riley's journey.
Go quickly to Americay
He is urged to go quickly to America, and she promises to follow.
And quickly I'll pursue"
Soon as they've got the money
Once they have the money, they set sail the next day.
Next day they sailed away
The journey encounters a storm that lasts the entire day.
But very quickly came a storm
The ship faces perilous conditions.
That lasted all the day
The ship eventually sinks.
The ship went down, all hands were lost
All hands on the ship are lost.
Her father grieved so sore
The farmer, father of the daughter, is deeply saddened by the loss.
They found her in John Riley's arms
They find the daughter in John Riley's arms, drowned on the shore.
Drowned upon the shore
Upon her breast a note was found
A note on her breast reveals the cruelty of the father who caused her love's death.
It's written all in blood
The note is written in blood, symbolizing the severity of the situation.
Saying, "Cruel was my father
The daughter condemns her father for attempting to harm John Riley.
Who went out to shoot my love
The daughter blames her father for the tragic fate of her love.
But let this be a warning
The daughter warns other maidens about the consequences of letting their loved ones go away.
To all you maidens gay
A cautionary message to all young women.
Never to let the lad you love
Advice not to let their loved ones sail to America.
Sail to Americay
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