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As I went out one morning early, |
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To breathe the sweet and pleasant air, |
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Who should I spy but a fair young maiden; |
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She seemed to me like a lily fair. |
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I stepped to her add kindly asked her, |
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"Would you like to be a bold sailor's wife?" |
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"Oh no kind sir," she quickly answered, |
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"I choose to lead a sweet single life." |
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"What makes you different from other women? |
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What makes you different from other kind? |
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For you are young, sweet, beautiful and handsome, |
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And for to marry you, I might incline." |
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"It's now kind sir that I must tell you. |
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I might have been married three years ago |
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To one John Riley who left this country. |
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He's been the cause of my overthrow." |
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"He courted me both late and early. |
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He courted me both night and day. |
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And when he had once my affections gained, |
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He left me here and he went away." |
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"Oh never mind for this Johnny Riley, |
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Oh come with me to the distant shore. |
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Why, we'll sail o'er to Pennsylvany, |
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And bid adieu to Riley forever more." |
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"I shan't go with you to Pennsylvany, |
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Or go with you to the distant shore. |
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My heart is with Riley, my long lost lover |
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Although I'll never see him no more." |
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Oh, when he saw that her love was loyal, |
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He gave her kisses one, two, and three, |
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Saying, "I'm the man you once called Johnny Riley, |
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Saying "I'm the cause of your misery." |
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"I've sailed the ocean, gained great promotion, |
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I've laid my money on the English shore, |
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And now we'll marry, no longer tarry, |
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And I shall never deceive you any more." |