Henry's Songbook

The high walls of Derry look dismal and grey
And so does lovely Johnny, he is now going away
He is going to bonnie Scotland some sweetheart 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 you'd marry me above all female kind
Oh Johnny lovely Johnny what has altered your mind

Oh Annie lovely Annie it was all but a jest
For I never intended to make you my best
I never intended to make you my wife
Oh Annie lovely Annie, all the days of my life

The first time 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

A bunch of blue ribbons I'll 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

(as sung by Dolores Keane)

[1979:] I learnt this song from my Aunt Sarah, who in turn learnt it in the late 40s from Alice Rainy a travelling woman from Co. Tyrone. (Dolores Keane, notes 'Broken Hearted I'll Wander')