Johnston (as performed by Sweeney's Men)
^^
Johnston he was riding along
As fast as he could ride
'Til he thought he heard a woman
He heard a woman cry

And Johnston getting off his horse
And searching the woods all round
'Til he came upon a woman
With her hair pinned to the ground

And Johnston being a man on his own
And being a man and bold
He has taken off his overcoat
To cover her from the cold

"Oh woman, dearest woman
Who'd have brought you here for to (Span?)?
Who'd have brought you here this gay morning
With your hair pinned to the ground?"

"Oh it was three bold and struggling men
With swords keen in hand
Who'd have brought me here this gay morning
With my hair pinned to the ground"

And Johnston getting on his horse
And the woman getting on behind
They rode down that highway
Their fortune for to find

And as they were riding on along
As fast as they could ride
She has flown the fingers to her lips
And gave three shivering cries

And out sprang three bold and struggling men
With swords keen in their hand
Who that commanded Johnston
Commanded him to stand

Oh I will stand said Johnston
And I will stand then said he
For I never was in all of my life
Afraid of any three

And Johnston he's killed two of them
Not minding the woman behind
While he was at the other one
She stabbed him from behind

And the day was free and a market day
And the people all passing by
Could have seen this awful murder
Could have seen poor Johnston die