FORSAKEN LOVER



O Johnny is on the water

Let him sink or swim

For if he can live without me

I can live without him



Johnny is a young boy

But still younger am I

For how long has he told me

How constant he would be



I'll take off this black dress

And I'll flourish in green

For I don't care if I'm forsaken

I am only nineteen



O meeting is a pleasure

But to part with him was grief

But an unconstant lover

Is worse than a thief



A thief can but rob you

And take what you have

But an unconstant lover

Will take you to your grave



The grave it will rot you

And turn you to dust

There is scarce one out of twenty

That a young girl can trust



They will court you and kiss you

And get your heart warm

Then, as soon as your back's turned

They'll laugh you to scorn



The cuckoo is a pretty bird

She sings as she flies

She brings us good tidings

And tells us no lies



Forsaken, forsaken

Forsaken am I

He will think himself mistaken

If he thinks that I'll cry



@courtship @floaters

pieces of many songs

from Cox, Folk-Songs of the South

filename[ FORSAKLV

SF

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