John Riley
Love's Journey Unveiled: John Riley's Tale of Betrayal and Redemption
Lyrics
As I went out one morning early,
Setting the scene, the narrator goes out early in the morning.
To breathe the sweet and pleasant air,
Expressing the freshness and pleasantness of the air.
Who should I spy but a fair young maiden
Discovers a young maiden, described as fair and lily-like.
She seemed to me like a lily fair.
Comparing the maiden's beauty to a lily.
I stepped to her add kindly asked her,
Narrator kindly inquires if she would like to be a sailor's wife.
"Would you like to be a bold sailor's wife?"
Her quick rejection, expressing a preference for a single life.
"Oh no kind sir," she quickly answered,
Reaffirmation of her desire to remain single.
"I choose to lead a sweet single life."
Clarification that she doesn't wish to marry.
"What makes you different from other women?
Narrator questions what makes her different from other women.
What makes you different from other kind?
Reiteration of the inquiry with emphasis on her uniqueness.
For you are young, sweet, beautiful and handsome,
Complimentary description of her youth, sweetness, beauty, and handsomeness.
And for to marry you, I might incline."
Expressing a potential inclination to marry her.
"It's now kind sir that I must tell you.
She reveals that she was supposed to marry John Riley three years ago.
I might have been married three years ago
Indicating that she could have been married by now.
To one John Riley who left this country.
John Riley left the country, causing her downfall.
He's been the cause of my overthrow."
Attributing her misfortune to John Riley.
"He courted me both late and early.
Detailing Riley's courtship both day and night.
He courted me both night and day.
Expressing the intensity of Riley's courtship.
And when he had once my affections gained,
Riley gained her affections but eventually left her.
He left me here and he went away."
Highlighting Riley's departure and abandonment.
"Oh never mind for this Johnny Riley,
Advising her to forget about John Riley.
Oh come with me to the distant shore.
Inviting her to sail to Pennsylvania and leave Riley behind.
Why, we'll sail o'er to Pennsylvany,
Proposing a journey to Pennsylvania to start anew.
And bid adieu to Riley forever more."
Suggesting bidding farewell to Riley forever.
"I shan't go with you to Pennsylvany,
Her refusal to go to Pennsylvania or a distant shore.
Or go with you to the distant shore.
Reiterating her commitment to Riley, despite his absence.
My heart is with Riley, my long lost lover
Declaring loyalty to John Riley, the long-lost lover.
Although I'll never see him no more."
Acceptance that she will never see Riley again.
Oh, when he saw that her love was loyal,
When the narrator realizes her love for Riley is genuine.
He gave her kisses one, two, and three,
The narrator gives her three kisses.
Saying, "I'm the man you once called Johnny Riley,
Revealing that the narrator is Johnny Riley, acknowledging his role in her misery.
Saying "I'm the cause of your misery."
Admitting responsibility for the hardships she endured.
"I've sailed the ocean, gained great promotion,
Sharing achievements and experiences since leaving.
I've laid my money on the English shore,
Expressing the narrator's readiness to marry without delay.
And now we'll marry, no longer tarry,
Commitment to no longer delay marriage and deceive her.
And I shall never deceive you any more."
Promising not to deceive her anymore and sealing the commitment.
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