By the storm-torn shoreline a woman is standing,
The spray strung like jewels in her hair.
And the sea tore the rocks on that desolate landing,
As though it had known she stood there.

She has come down to condemn the wild ocean
For the murderous loss of her man.
His ship sailed out on Wednesday morning,
And it's feared she's gone down with all hands.

White were the wave caps and wild was their parting,
So fierce is the warring of love.
And she prayed to the Gods both of men and of sailors
Not to cast their cruel nets o'er her man.

She has come down to condemn the wild ocean
For the murderous loss of her man.
His ship sailed out on Wednesday morning,
And it's feared she's gone down with all hands.

Ye maids, wives and widows, I pray you listen well
Unto this sad story I'm ready for to tell,
Of a maid in deep sorrow who now is forced to rove.
She relies upon King George for the loss of her love.

Broken hearted I will wander, Broken hearted I'll remain,
Since my bonnie light horseman in the wars he was slain.

Three years and six months now since he sailed from England's shore.
My bonnie light horseman will I never see him more?
He's mounted on horseback, so gallant and gay,
And among the whole regiment respected was he.

Refrain

A rival heart has stolen my true love away,
So in Olde England's kingdom now no more I'll stay.
I will swim the widest ocean to soothe my troubled breast
And find the path to the fairest flower that I love best.

When I have found my own true love, my heart's delight,
I'll welcome her most kindly whether day or night.
Bells pealing and ringing and the drums melodious noise
Will welcome home my own true love's ten thousand joys.

I wish I was where Helen lies,
For night and day on me she cries.
I wish I was where Helen lies
Beneath my fair Kirkconnell lee.

Now curse the heart that thought the thought,
And curse the hand that fired the shot,
When in my arms byrd Helen dropped,
And died for my sake on Kirkconnell lee.

I lifted down my sword to draw,
I hacked the murderer in pieces small,
He fell by my sword on Kirkconnell lee
And died for her sake that died for me.

Who will plough the fields now and who will sow the corn?
Who will watch the sheep now and keep them from all harm.
The stack that's in the haggard, unthreshed it may remain,
Since Johnny lovely Johnny went to fight the King of Spain.

The girls of the Banog in sorrow may retire,
And the piper and his bellows may go home to blow the fire,
Since Johnny lovely Johnny went sailing o'er the main,
Along with other patriots, to fight the King of Spain.

And the boys will sorely miss him when money more comes round,
And grieve that their bold captain is nowhere to be found.
The peelers must stand idle against their will and grain,
Since the valiant boy who gave them work now peels the King of Spain.

Queen Jane lay in labour full five days and more.
'Til the women grew so weary they could no longer bear.
They could no longer bear.

Good women, good women, good women that ye be,
Will you open my right side and find my baby.
And find my baby.

Oh no cried the women. That's a thing that never can be.
We will send for King Henry to hear what he might say.
To hear what he might say.

King Henry was sent for. King Henry he did come.
Saying "what ails thee my own lady? Your eyes they look so dim.
Your eyes they look so dim".

All the money that 'ere I had, I spent it in good company.
And all the harm that 'ere I've done, alas it was to none but me.
And all I've done for want of wit, to memory now I can't recall.
So fill to me the parting glass. Goodnight and joy be with you all.

All the comrades that 'ere I had, they're sorry for my going away.
And all the sweethearts 'ere I had, they'd wish me one more day to stay.
And since it falls unto my lot that I should rise and you should not,
I'll gently rise and softly call, Goodnight and joy be with you all.