possibly by William Smyth (1765 - 1849) and possibly by Anne Grant (1755 - 1838)
Translation by Anonymous / Unidentified Author

When will you come again, my faithfu'...
Language: English 
Our translations:  FRE
When will you come again, my faithfu' Johnie,
When will you come again?
"When the corn is gathered,
And the leaves are withered,
I will come again, my sweet and bonny,
I will come again."

Then winter's wind will blow, my faithfu' Johnie,
Then winter's wind will blow:
"Though the day be dark wi' drift,
That I cannot see the lift,
I will come again, my sweet and bonny,
I will come again."

Then will you meet me here, my faithfu' Johnie,
Then will you meet me here?
"Though the night were Hallowe'en
When the fearfu' sights are seen,
I would meet thee here, my sweet and bonny,
I would meet thee here."

O come na by the muir, my faithfu' Johnie,
O come na by the muir.
"Though the wraiths were glist'ning white
By the dim elf-candles' light,
I would come to thee, my sweet and bonny,
I would come to thee."

And shall we part again, my fathfu' Johnie?
Shall we part again?
"So lang's my eye can see, Jean,
That face so dear to me, Jean,
We shall not part again, my sweet and bonny,
We shall not part again."

About the headline (FAQ)

Text Authorship:

  • possibly by William Smyth (1765 - 1849), "Faithfu' Johnie"
  • possibly by Anne Grant (1755 - 1838), "Faithfu' Johnie"

See other settings of this text.

Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):

  • FRE French (Français) (Isabelle Cecchini) , "Fidèle Johnie", copyright © 2003, (re)printed on this website with kind permission


Researcher for this page: Ferdinando Albeggiani

This text was added to the website: 2004-08-03
Line count: 30
Word count: 193

Language: German (Deutsch)  after the English 
Our translations:  ENG
O wann kehrst Du zurück, mein treuer Johnnie!
O wann kehrst Du zurück?
"Wenn das Korn ist eingebracht
Und verwelkt der Blätter Pracht,
Dann kehr' ich zurück, mein süßes Liebchen,
Dann kehr' ich zurück."

Dann bläst der kalte Nord, mein treuer Johnnie,
Dann bläst der kalte Nord!
"Birgt Gestöber auch den Tag,
Kaum den Pfad ich finden mag,
Komm' ich doch zu Dir, mein süßes Liebchen,
Komm' ich doch zu Dir!"

Dann willst Du sein bei mir, mein treuer Johnie?
Dann willst Du sein bei mir?
"Wär' es auch in heilger Nacht,
Wo manch grauser Spuk erwacht,
Komm' ich doch zu Dir, mein süßes Liebchen,
Komm' ich doch zu Dir!"

Nicht komm' um Mitternacht, mein treuer Johnie!
Nicht komm' um Mitternacht!
"Schillern der Gespenster Reihn
Bleicher auch im Irrlichtschein,
Komm' ich doch zu Dir, mein süßes Liebchen,
Komm' ich doch zu Dir!"

Ach, scheiden wieder wir, mein treuer Johnnie?
Ach, scheiden wieder wir?
"Nein, so lang mein Augenlicht
Spiegelt mir Dein lieb Gesicht,
Scheiden nimmer wir, mein süßes Liebchen,
Scheiden nimmer wir!"

Composition:

Text Authorship:

  • by Anonymous / Unidentified Author, "Der treue Johnnie"

Based on:

See other settings of this text.

Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):

  • ENG English (Sharon Krebs) , copyright © 2025, (re)printed on this website with kind permission


Researcher for this page: Caroline Diehl

This text was added to the website: 2004-08-03
Line count: 30
Word count: 172