The Ballad of John Williams.
Vocals and Lyrics: Irish ballad singer, songwriter and entertainer of the country & Irish genre, Johnny McEvoy.
Please Note: Johnny McEvoy will be appearing in concert at the Great National Hotel, Ballykisteen Golf Club, Limerick Junction, Co. Tipperary on Friday, January 31st. 2025, with concert beginning at 8:00pm.
The Ballad of John Williams.
When last I saw John Williams,
A young man full of pride,
To have his bride of just four days,
Stand shyly by his side.
He laughed and slapped me on the back,
Said, boyo, can’t you see,
I’ve seen the last of windswept bogs,
And bogs the last of me.
And the peelers and the landlords,
And the risings of the moon,
And if ever I return again,
‘T would be too bloody soon.
Rich man, poor man, beggar man, wife,
Sailed away into the night,
Where they’ll end up, no-one knows,
Round and round the story goes.
He said, my friend, I’ll take my chance,
In far off New York town.
They say there’s lots of work there,
And a good man won’t stay down.
For with my lassie by my side,
We’ll build a better home,
And when this sea trip’s over lad,
We never more will roam.
So we said farewell upon the quay,
There was nothing left to do,
But to pray for John and his lovely bride,
That their dreams might all come true.
Rich man, poor man, beggar man’s wife,
Sailed away into the night,
Where they’ll end up, no-one knows,
Round and round the story goes.
How I envied you, John Williams,
And your lovely fair haired bride,
To be sailing on that mighty ship,
Across the ocean wide.
For she’s the finest liner,
That was ever built by man,
And they say there’s naught can sink her,
No, not even God’s own hand.
Man’s pride can be his own downfall,
That great ship sailed from home,
But I though I heard the Banshee’s cry,
That chilled me to the bone.
Rich man, poor man, beggar man’s wife,
Sailed away into the night,
Where they’ll end up, no-one knows,
Round and round the story goes.
Round and round the story goes.
END
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