I know my love by his way of walking
And I know my love by his way of talking
And I know my love dressed in a suit of blue
And if my love leaves me what will I do?

And still she cried 'I love him the best'
And a troubled mind sure can know no rest
And still she cried 'Bonny boys are few'
And if my love leaves me what will I do?

There is a dance hall in Mardyke
And it's there my love goes every night
And he takes a strange girl upon his knee
And don't you know that this vexes me

And still she cried 'I love him the best'
And a troubled mind sure can know no rest
And still she cried 'Bonny boys are few'
And if my love leaves me what will I do?

If my love knew that I could wash and wring
And if my love knew that I could weave and spin
I would make a suit all of the finest kind
But the want of money, it leaves me behind

And still she cried 'I love him the best'
And a troubled mind sure can know no rest
And still she cried 'Bonny boys are few'
And if my love leaves me what will I do?

I know my love is an errant rover
And I know he'll travel the world all over
And in dear old Ireland he'll no longer tarry
And an English damsel he's sure to marry

And still she cried 'I love him the best'
And a troubled mind sure can know no rest
And still she cried 'Bonny boys are few'
And if my love leaves me what will I do?