The high, high walls of Derry look so dismal and grey
And so does lovely Johnny, he is gone far, far away
And He's gone away to Scotland some sweetheart for 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 that you'd marry me above all female kind
Oh, Johnny, lovely Johnny, what has altered your mind?
Well the first time that 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?
And the next place we courted, was in yonder green grove
Where the blackberry bushes around us they stood
Where the oak and the apple around us did twine
Oh Johnny, lovely Johnny, what has altered your mind?
A bunch of blue ribbons I will 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