John Riley (song)

John Riley (also known as Johnny Riley, The Broken Token and A Fair Young Maid All in Her Garden among other titles) is a traditional English folk song (Roud #264). Joan Baez famously recorded the song on her 1960 debut album.

It tells the story of a prospective suitor who asks a woman whether she will go with him. She replies that she cannot - she is betrothed to John Riley, who has gone over the seas. He persists, asking her whether Riley is worth waiting for - that he may be drowned, dead in the war, or married to another woman. She maintains that she will continue to wait for him, irrespective of his possible fate. In the last stanza, the suitor reveals that he is John Riley, returned from the seas, and has been testing his beloved. The Song's Theme, that of the Disguised True Lover, has long been a theme in traditional folk ballads, and several variations of this song exist.

Lyrics

(Am)A fair young maid all (Gmaj)in her (Am)garden,
(Am)A strange young man comes (Gmaj)passing (Am)by
(Am)Saying fair maid, will you (Gmaj)marry me
(Gmaj)And this answer was her (Am)reply

No kind sir I cannot marry thee
For I've a love who sails all on the sea
He's been gone for seven years
But still no man will I marry

Well what if he's in some battle slain
Or drowneded in the deep salt sea
Or what if he's found another love
And he and his love both married be?

If he's in some battle slain
I will die, when the moon doth wane
And if he's drowned in the deep salt sea
I'll be true to his memory

And if he's found another love
And he and his love both married be
Then I wish them health and happiness
Where they dwell across the sea

He picked her up all in his arms
And kisses gave her one two and three
Saying weep no more my own true love
I am your long lost John Riley.