One night as I lay slumbering in my silent bed alone
Some rakish thoughts came in my head which caused me for to roam
To leave behind me my native town and the wee girl I adore
To take a trip as I saw fit strange countries to explore
The night before I went away I was walking over Brackagh Hill
I met my love upon the road and her eyes with tears did fill
O Johnny dear she said stay here and do not go away
For there'll be none for comfort me when you are o'er the sea
Well I took her by the lily white hand and I held her long and fast
My darling girl I must away for our ship lies in Belfast
But if you'll prove constant I'll prove true for you know I am well inclined
So we kissed shook hands and parted and I left my girl behind
And it's when we landed in Greenock sure the people all gathered round
They said I was a rakish lad come to cut their harvest down
They told me to return home and to never more be seen
So that very night I took my flight back to Erin's lovely green
And when Mary heard her Johnny was home her heart it did leap with joy
So three herself all in his arms saying yo're my darling boy
O Johnny dear I'm glad you're here for you I have thought long
So let them all say as they will our wedding will go on
And Brackagh Hill is a lovely place with fine wee girls therein
You'd swear they were the nightingale when they sit down and sing
Where the Salmon Trout do sport about round Lough Neagh's verdant shore
So let them all say as they will you are mine forever
Some rakish thoughts came in my head which caused me for to roam
To leave behind me my native town and the wee girl I adore
To take a trip as I saw fit strange countries to explore
The night before I went away I was walking over Brackagh Hill
I met my love upon the road and her eyes with tears did fill
O Johnny dear she said stay here and do not go away
For there'll be none for comfort me when you are o'er the sea
Well I took her by the lily white hand and I held her long and fast
My darling girl I must away for our ship lies in Belfast
But if you'll prove constant I'll prove true for you know I am well inclined
So we kissed shook hands and parted and I left my girl behind
And it's when we landed in Greenock sure the people all gathered round
They said I was a rakish lad come to cut their harvest down
They told me to return home and to never more be seen
So that very night I took my flight back to Erin's lovely green
And when Mary heard her Johnny was home her heart it did leap with joy
So three herself all in his arms saying yo're my darling boy
O Johnny dear I'm glad you're here for you I have thought long
So let them all say as they will our wedding will go on
And Brackagh Hill is a lovely place with fine wee girls therein
You'd swear they were the nightingale when they sit down and sing
Where the Salmon Trout do sport about round Lough Neagh's verdant shore
So let them all say as they will you are mine forever