THE BANKS OF THE ROSES
On the banks of the roses, my love and I sat down
And I took out my violin to play my love a tune
In the middle of the tune, oh she sighed and she said
"Aarah Johnny, lovely Johnny, would you leave me?"
"Oh, I know my father well and its oft I've heard
him say
That he'd rather see me dead and buried in the clay
Rather than be married to any run-away
On the lovely sweet banks of the roses"
"Well sure I am no run-away and soon I'll have
you know
That I can take my whiskey or can leave it all alone
And the man who doesn't like me he can leave his daughter at home
And young Johnny will go roving with another"
"And if ever I get married 'twill be in the month
of May
When the birds will be singing and the meadows blooming gay
And me and my true love will sit and sport and play
On the lovely sweet banks of the roses"
Extra verses:
When I was a young thing, I've heard my father say
He'd rather see me dead and buried in the clay
Than be tied to any drunkard or yet a runaway
On the lovely sweet banks of the roses
I rapped on the counter, I made the tumblers ring
I called upon the waiter, some whiskey for to bring
I'll drink a health to my true love and I'll treat her like a
queen
On the lovely sweet banks of the roses