I have a tape of an early 70s Martin Carthy gig (probably circa 1973 but difficult to tell) where he sings a version of this song. I can't lay my hands on the tape at the moment but a little light Googling brings up a set of lyrics here that correspond fairly closely - as far as my memory can tell - to the words Carthy sings:

Johnny Sands he was a fine young man
And he married a lady gay
Though she brought him gold and she brought him land
She proved him a terrible plague
From night 'til morn she'd curse and moan
She was full of caprice and whim
'Til he has said he was tired of life
For she was tired of him
Right fal –la—right fa larum fa larum
For she was tired of him

Oh says he, "I think I'll go drown myself
In the river that runs below She says,
"I wish you would you silly old sot I've wished it long ago."
Says he, "I'll stand all on the bank and you go up the hill
Then you can come down and push me in."
She says, "My love, I will."
Right fal –la right fa larum fa larum
She says, "My love, I will."

"Oh but just in case I should lose me courage
And try to save me life
You must tie me hands behind me back."
"I will" then says his wife
So she's tied him fast as fast can be
And when he's securely bound
Well she goes up to the top of the hill
And she commence to run
Right fal –la right fa larum fa larum
And she commence to run

Down the hill came running his loving bride
Rushing with all her force
For to push him in but he jumped aside
She fell in of course
Then splashing dashing like a fish
"Come save me Johnny Sands."
He says, "I would. You surely know I would.
But you have tied me hands.
Right fal –la right fa larum fa larum
But you have tied me hands."