The high, high walls of Derry look so dismal and grey,
And so does lovely Johnny, he is gone far, far away,
And He's gone away to Scotland some sweetheart for to see.
May the high powers above send him safe home to me.
Oh, Johnny, lovely Johnny, do you mind the day
When you came to my window to steal me away?
You promised that you'd marry me above all female kind.
Oh, Johnny, lovely Johnny, what has altered your mind?
Well the first time that I met you, 'tis well I do own,
'Twas in my father's garden in the County Tyrone,
With my white apron round us, to shield out the wind.
Oh, Johnny, lovely Johnny, what has altered your mind?
And the next place we courted, was in yonder green grove,
Where the blackberry bushes around us they stood,
Where the oak and the apple around us did twine,
Oh Johnny, lovely Johnny, what has altered your mind?
A bunch of blue ribbons I will tie up and wear,
And a wreath of forget-me-nots I will twine round my hair.
And if ever he returns again, I will greet him with joy,
And I will kiss the lips of my own Johnny boy.