Folk and Traditional Song Lyrics:
Johnny German

Johnny German

Johnny German

As I walked out one morning
All for to take the air,
It's there I spied a pretty fair maid;
Her countenance looked quite sad.

I says, "'My pretty fair maid,
What's the cause of your sad woe!"
"My true love's gone and left me,
And where I do not know.
He's left me no true token
Whether he'll return or no."

Perhaps I've seen your true love
The last time I've been to sea.
He was proper, tall, and handsome.
They call him Handsome John.

"He sails aboard of the Rainbow,
And under Captain Roe;
His name is Johnny German,
Is that the lad or no?"

When this fair maid heard this news
She fairly jumped for joy,
. . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . .

"Come tell to me immediately
Whether he's alive or no."
"Your true love Johnny German
Just died five months ago."

When this fair maid heard this news
She fell in deep despair,
A wringing of her lily-white hands,
And a tearing of her hair.

She betook unto her chamber,
And on her bed did lie
With a sad lamentation,
And wishing she could die.

When her true love came to know
How he'd treated her severe,
How he'd treated her
Although she loved him so dear,

He dressed himself in scarlet,
And to pretty Polly did go
With a kind resolution
To welcome her sad woe.

"Open the door, pretty Polly,
And leave your tears behind,
. . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . .

"I only done it to try you,
To see if you'd prove true,
For I never met with a pretty fair maid
Could gain my heart but you!"

She's lovelier than the morning,
She's beautiful as the rose;
On Polly's lovely bosom
There lies a sweet repose.

Adieu to the gallant Rainbow
Since Polly has won my heart.
We'll be joined together
That nothing but death can part.

From Ballads and Sea Songs from Nova Scotia, Mackenzie
Collected from John Rogers
DT #467
Laws N43
RG
oct96