Cat. #0351 (MFH #323) - As sung by Mrs. Pearl Brewer, Pocahontas, Arkansas on May 27, 1959
VERSE 1
One day while walking I spied a fair maiden
When a handsome young fella she happened to meet
She quickly told him, but very sadly
They'd taken her Johnny away to sea
VERSE 2
I stood there an' listened to what they were saying
For Johnny was my friend, you see
She said, I am so sad and lonely
O Willie, please come home with me
VERSE 3
That night they were talking about poor Johnny
And how he would cross th rolling tide
It was about nine when they heard voices
He turned and asked her, where he could hide
VERSE 4
There's a chest by my bed, now you run quickly
She turned up th light and opened th door
In walked Johnny with a whole bunch a sailors
She could'nt count them, there were twenty or more
VERSE 5
I have not come to ask you for money
Nor I have not come home to rest
I just dropped by to tell you I'm leaving
And while I am here, I'll pick up my chest
VERSE 6
They picked it up and it was so heavy
They set it down an' looked inside
And there laid Willie, he sure looked silly
His mouth and eyes were open so wide
VERSE 7
Now, we won't kill him with guns nor fighting
Nor we won't kill him with th sword
We'll take him out on a whole days journey
And there we'll throw him overboard