Johnny and Molly

The Wild Rover. To which are added,…&c.

Johnny and Molly.

Adieu my dear Molly, for now I must leave you,
to try my fortune in crossing the main;
Though I go to travel, pray let it not grieve you,
for shortly I hope I’ll return home again.

But now I’ll away to serve his Majesty,
with honour I hope to return home again,
Resolved to fight, once our friends, now our enemies,
all to America, their force to subdue.

But stay my dear Johnny consider the great danger,
that now may attend you in crossing the seas,
Besides I am sure to the wars you’re a stranger,
so stay at home love, enjoy your sweet ease.

Consider the hard fortune attending America,
where many gallant hero lay bleeding on the plain,
And those that did live were in great need of assistance,
my dearest be advised at home to remain.

Let nothing affright you as honour commands,
to serve our great Sovereign whenever he calls,
I’ll surmount all those dangers as fame now commands,
I’ll never be afraid to face cannon balls.

The Americans are fierce and that we’ll understand,
sure they are our brethren, and brave as can be.
But his Majesty & parliament proclaim’d them rebel band,
and for to conquer them we now must away.

Alas! my dear Johnny the danger now alarms me,
for fear that in America you should be slain.
My jewel don’t fear, there’s nothing e’er will harm me,
so Molly my darling, cease to complain.

Tho’ many valiant soldiers have gallantly met their fate,
in serving of their Sov’reign, yet surely you know,
Our warlike fleets and armies will gall them at any rate,
they’ll shortly rue the day they became our proud foe.

Well since you are going, may heav’n still defend you,
and keep you from danger, tho’ with me you part,
Kind fortune may smile, and for ever attend you,
and to stay behind you, it will break my heart.

Could I enlist with you, my dear it would please me,
your true loyal comrade I still could remain,
I’ll dress in man’s attire, and never deceive you,
but fight beside my love till he come home again.

Ah no my dear Molly you are too young and slender,
to face the fatigues of those fierce bloody wars.
O no my dear Johnny, although I’m but slender,
you’ll se that I’ll behave like a bold son of Mars.

No danger can affright me while I’m in your company,
your presence will delight me, and that you will know,
Then since you are so sprightly, my dear come along with me
so success attend us, wherever we go.

*Transcriber’s note: Dugaw’s catalogue contains multiple variants of this ballad; this is the first of the variants listed. To review other variants of this ballad, please consult the Dugaw catalogue.