The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #85814 Message #1592250
Posted By: Joe Offer
27-Oct-05 - 11:50 PM
Thread Name: Origins: Young Johnny (The Green Bed)
Subject: ADD Version: Young Johnny (The Green Bed)
Young Johnny Cat. #1404 (MFH #508) - As sung by Mary Jo Davis, Fayetteville, Arkansas on July ?, 1953
VERSE 1 Young Johnny's been in Ireland Young Johnny's been on sea Young Johnny's now in Ireland Where he has been before So, welcome young Johnny So, welcome --- --- ---
VERSE 2 What luck, what luck, young Johnny What luck had you on sea Bad luck, bad luck, said Johnny Bad luck had I on sea I lost my ship, my cargo too Out on th raging sea But bring down your daughter, Polly And married we will be
VERSE 3 O, Johnny, she is absent An' won't be here this day And if she were here I'm sure you could not stay For she is very rich And you are very poor And if she were here She would turn you from th door
VERSE 4 Young Johnny being sleepy He hung down his head And called for a candle To light himself to bed My beds are full of strangers An' have been all this week An' so with that con-------- ---- --- --- you must seek
VERSE 5 He looked upon th poeple He looked upon them all He looked upon th landlord To him he gave a call Saying, here are thirty of th new And twenty of th old With that he drew from his pocket His both hands full of gold
VERSE 6 O Johnny, young Johnny I merely spoke in jest I know I've no exception I'm sure I love you best My great beds are empty An' have been all this day My great beds are empty And there you may stay
VERSE 7 Before I'd lie within your door I'd lie out on th street For when I had no money My lodging I might seek An' now moneys plenty My head is in a whirl With a bottle of sweet brandy And on my knee a girl
VERSE 8 Come all you young people Wherever you may be Who expect to make your money Out on th raging sea Be sure to make good use of it And lay it up on store For without that companion She'll turn you from th door