Here’s the full lyrics of the version I have from Gren, formerly of the Carrington Triangle Folk Club, Nottingham UK.
JOHN RILEY (from the singing of Grenvil Blatherwick)
I have a bold companion, John Riley is his name In fair or stormy weather boys, John Riley’s always the same His heart is like a mountain and his honour you cannot buy And whenever it comes to drinking time, your honour, John Riley is dry!
Buys his ale, by the pale, he’ll order Susana to go out and buy Dublin Stout, then he’ll shout Drink whiskey and never say die Rye whiskey rye, gin and lime, he’ll knock back a double and then he will shout, Maryanne, fill your can, for your honour John Riley is dry.
It’s early in the morning boys when he gets out of bed He has no feathery bolster lads beneath his noble head And when the sun is rising so proud and yet so shy You’ll hear him shout for his Dublin Stout, for your honour John Riley is dry
Buys his ale, by the pale, he’ll order Susana to go out and buy Dublin Stout, then he’ll shout Drink whiskey and never say die Rye whiskey rye, gin and lime, he’ll knock back a double and then he will shout, Maryanne, fill your can, for your honour John Riley is dry.
Mi father told me long ago when I was but a youth That all the other Riley boys had died of whiskey truth And yet it is the strangest thing, that nobody can deny That whenever it comes to drinking time Your honour John Riley is dry
Buys his ale, by the pale, he’ll order Susana to go out and buy Dublin Stout, then he’ll shout Drink whiskey and never say die Rye whiskey rye, gin and lime, he’ll knock back a double and then he will shout, Maryanne, fill your can, for your honour John Riley is dry.