O dear, what can the matter be? Dear, dear, what can the matter be? O dear, what can the matter be Johnny's so long at the fair. Johnny's so long at the fair. He promised he'd bring me a bunch of blue ribbons, To tie up my bonny brown hair. O dear, what can the matter be? Dear, dear, what can the matter be? O dear, what can the matter be Johnny's so long at the fair. Johnny's so long at the fair.