Banks of the Dee

As daylight was appearing
And cloudy skies were clearing
Small birds' notes were cheering
On the banks of the Dee
There I heard a maid a-sighing
And her watery eyes was drying
Oh, Johnny, she was crying
How could you leave me?

'Twas on that spot we parted
I left her brokenhearted
Crystal tears they started
And down from her eyes did flow
Saying, be it adieu forever
Since you and I must sever
As you walk down by the river
You'll remember me, I know

For when I'm on the ocean
And billows are in motion
When I'm at devotion
I'll still recall your name
When drums they are a-beating
And we, the foes, are meeting
And from that there's no retreating
I'll always be the same

For I know right well what grieved her
And yet I didn't relieve her
When first I did receive her
I hid from her my name
She appeared to me full sorry
As I told my mournful story
It was on the fields so gory
Your true love, he was slain

When she heard the news, she fainted
Her cheeks like death were painted
I, from her heart, relented
And quickly told my name
While on me she stood mazing
And on her I stood gazing
With joy her hands was raising
Saying, are you still the same?

Leave off your sobs and sighing
Your fond heart I was trying
Leave off your sobs and sighing
I was the whole to blame
Now since we met together
We will wander by the river
You and I will join together
Never more to part again