1 Lord John he's on to England gone,
To England gone is he;
Love John he's on to England gone,
The king's banneret to be.
2 He hadna been in fair England
O but a little while,
Till faen in love wi the king's daughter,
And to him she's with chile.
3 Now word is to the kitchen gane,
And word is to the ha,
And word is to the king's high court,
And that was warst of a'.
4 Out then spake the king himsell,
An angry man was he:
I'll put her into prison strong,
And starve her till she die.
5 Love John he's on to Scotland gone,
I wat he's on wi speed;
Love John he's on to Scotland gone,
And as good was his need.
6 He hadna been in fair Scotland
But a very short tide,
Till he minded on the damsel
That lay last by his side.
7 'Whare will I get a bonny boy,
Will win baith meat and fee,
That will run on to fair England,
And haste him back to me?'
8 'O here am I, a bonny boy,
Will win baith meat and fee,
That will run on to fair England,
And haste him back to thee.'
9 'Where ye find the grass grow green,
Ye'll slack your shoes and rin;
And when ye find the brigs broken,
Ye'll bend your bow and swim.
10 'And when ye come to the king's high court,
Ye'll rin it round about,
And there ye'll see a lady gay,
At a window looking out.