There’s one thing between us that I do confess,
That I go to meeting and my true love goes to Mass.
But for to go to Mass with him I’d count it no great toil,
And the world I would wander with you, Johnny Doyle.

A horse and saddle did my father provide;
He thought to get me married and to be another’s bride
A horse and saddle my father did prepare
With six noble footmen to wait on me there.

We rode all along until we came to Belfast town,
Our horses being stabled and the footmen seated down.
While they were at their merriment, I had my own toil
For my heart is on the ocean with you, Johnny Doyle.

It was in my dear brother’s arms that I was carried
home, My mother she conducted me into my own
bedroom, My own bed being the softest, my head I did
lay down, For to seek consoling sorrow, my body it was found.

“I’ll send for Johnny Doyle for you, my own darling child,
I’ll send for Johnny Doyle for you, my own heart’s delight.”
“You’ll send for Johnny Doyle, mother, but I fear it is too late
For death it is coming and sad is my fate.”

“Now death you are coming, you are welcome to me,
From the pains of true love I’m sure you’ll set me free.
There is more trouble in my mind than my poor tongue can tell,
And my heart is on the ocean with you, Johnny Doyle.”