Oh, when I was a young thing, I heard my mother say
That I was a foolish lass and easily led astray
And before I would work, I would rather sport and play
With my Johnny on the banks of red roses

On the banks of red roses, his love and he sat down
And he took out his charm flute to play his love a tune
In the middle of the tune, oh the bonny lassie said
"Arrah Johnny, dearest Johnny, do not leave me"

Then he took her to his lodge and he treated her to tea
Saying "Drink my dearest Mary and come along with me"
Saying "Drink my dearest Mary and come along with me
To the lovely sweet banks of red roses"

Then they walked and they talked 'till they came unto a cave
Where Johnny all the day had been digging up a grave
Where Johnny all the day had been digging up a grave
For to leave his Mary low among the roses

Then he pulled out his pen knife, it was both long and sharp
And he plunged it right into his own dear Mary's heart
Yes, he plunged it right into his own dear Mary's heart
And he left her lying low among the roses