O Johnny's on the water let him sink or let him swim, If he can live without me I can live without him. O Johnny's a young boy but younger am I, Often he's told me he'd wed me or die O meeting's a pleasure but parting's a grief And a false hearted lover is worse than a thief A thief he will rob you and take what you save But a false hearted lover will take it to your grave. Come all you uoung ladies take a warning by me Never place your affections on a green growing tree. For the roots they will wither the branches will die Your body forsaken I know not for why. If I am forsaken ill not be forsworn, And he surely is mistaken if he thinks ill mourn. I'll take off this black dress and flourish and grieve And ill pass his light by him as he does by me. O the cuckoo is a pretty bird she sings as she flies She brings us glad tidings she tells us no lies. She sucks all the pretty flowers to make her voice clear And she never sings a cuckoo till the summer is hear.