I am a maid that sleeps in love and cannot feel my pain

For once I had a sweetheart and Johnny was his name

And if I cannot find him I'll wander night and day

For it's for the sake of Johnny I'll cross the stormy seas

I'll cut off my yellow locks men's clothing I'll wear on

And like a gallant soldier boy this road I'll gang along

Enquiring for a captain a passage to engage free

For to be his chief companion on the banks of liberty

The very first night the captain lay down on his bed to sleep

These very words he said to me "I wish you were a maid

Your cherry cheeks and ruby lips they've often enticed me

I wish to the gods unto my heart a maid you were to me"

In three days after that we did land on shore

"Adieu adieu dear captain adieu forever more

A sailor boy I was on ship but a maid I am on shore

Adieu adieu dear captain adieu forever more"

"Come back come back my blooming girl come back and marry me

For I have a good fortune I'll give it all to thee"

"To marry you dear captain is more than I can say

For it's for the sake of Johnny I'll wander night and day"