Oh, tell me young maiden, why weep you so freely?
Down by the dark and the rolling sea...
And these are the words she sang me so sweetly,
Down by the dark and the rolling sea...

My Johnny was a sailor, and he lived by the ocean,
Down by the dark and the rolling sea...
But the captain sent his men, and they drugged him with a potion,
Down by the dark and the rolling sea...

Now for seven long years, he’s been lost on the water,
Down by the dark and the rolling sea...
And he left me to weep, with a darling little daughter,
Down by the dark and the rolling sea...

Oh, maiden don’t you weep, for he’s given me a letter,
Down by the dark and the rolling sea...
And he begs you not to wait, but to find somebody better,
Down by the dark and the rolling sea...

Oh, no! Never, no! I could never, ever leave him,
Down by the dark and the rolling sea...
For he’s given me his trust, and I never could deceive him,
Down by the dark and the rolling sea...

Then Nancy don’t you weep, and Nancy don’t you tarry,
Down by the dark and the rolling sea...
Your Johnny has returned, and it’s you I will marry,
Down by the dark and the rolling sea...

Yes, I’m your Johnny love, and I’m sorry that I grieved you,
Down by the dark and the rolling sea...
Ah, but now that I am home, I will never, ever leave you,
Down by the dark and the rolling sea...