Sir Johnson's Love

Sir Johnson come and listen for
This day's your weddin' day
But there's no weddin' on this day:
Your bride has gone away!

She left you for a knight of steal
Who's called Sir Galahen,
"Oh fetch my sword; I'll show that rat!"
Replied Sir Johnson then.

And so he rode, and rode all day
His sword hung by his side,
All set to fight Sir Galahen,
And win himself his bride.

"My lady hide in yonder brush,
and turn your face away",
Said Galahen, "For love and honour
must I Sir Johnson slay!"

And so they fought, Sir Galahan,
And our friend Johnson too,
And all that night they fought and fought
Until the cock went crew

Then when the sun's light shown around
Sir Galahen was dead.
Then leaning on the bloody sword
Sir Johnson weakly said:

"You left me for a knight of steal
Who's called Sir Galahen
I came and fought to prove my love
To you and other men"

The Johnson fell and breathed his last.
And then the lady cried.
She took a dagger from it sheath,
and pierced her heart and died.

©James Garner May 1987