He's gone, I am now sad and lonely
He's left me to cross the deep sea
I know that he thinks of me only
And will soon be returning to me.
My eyes they are filled with devotion
For my husband he said he would be
Blow gently the winds of the ocean,
And send back my Johnny to me.

Each night as I lay on my pillow
My bosom it heaves with a sigh,
I think of each angry willow (? billow)
And I'm watching the clouds in the sky.
Some say that my love is returning
To his own native country and me,
So blow gently the winds of the ocean
And send back my Johnny to me.

He's gone for his fortune to better
I know that he's gone for my sake.
I'll soon be receiving a letter
Or else my poor heart it will break.
Some say that my love is returning
To his own native country and me,
So blow gently the winds of the ocean
And send back my Johnny to me.

abc | midi | pdf

---

Source: Journal of the English Folk Dance and Song Society, Dec 1953

Notes:
This was transcribed by Patrick Shuldham-Shaw from the singing of Mrs Costello of Birmingham.

"This song is I think particularly interesting as it looks like a traditional version of the American student song 'My Bonny lies over the Ocean.' - P.D.K."

Chris Coe, who is originally from Birmingham, has made a special study of the singing of Cecilia Costello.


Roud: 1422 (Search Roud index at VWML)
Laws:
Child: