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Johnny Lad

from When Two Lovers Meet by Sarah McQuaid

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about

I have no idea where I got this song, and I can’t seem to find it in any book. I think I learned it off a tape that I made at a festival in the States, but the original cassette is long vanished. The song is almost certainly Scottish; I’ve taken a few liberties with the words and jazzed up the music.

lyrics

Oh do you know my Johnny, he lives down in yonder lea
And he’s sneaking round and creeping, he’s always watching me
I’ve told him I’ve no love for him and that I never had
Still there’s none on earth can please me like my own Johnny lad
And it’s you, Johnny laddie, and it’s you, my Johnny lad
Still there’s none on earth can please me like my own Johnny lad

When the sheep are in the fold and the cows are in the byre
And the other lads and lasses sitting round the roaring fire
It’s me silly lassie, just as like as if I’m mad
Through the hoops and barley stooks and teasing you, Johnny lad
Teasing you, Johnny laddie, teasing you, my Johnny lad
Through the hoops and barley stooks and teasing you, Johnny lad

My Johnny’s blithe and bonny, he’s the pride of yonder lea
And I love him more than any though he’s always teasing me
He teases me and squeezes me and tickles me like mad
None comes near me that can cheer me like my own Johnny lad
And it’s you, Johnny laddie, and it’s you, my Johnny lad
None comes near me that can cheer me like my own Johnny lad

Johnny’s not a gentleman nor yet is he a laird
But I’d follow Johnny lad, although he tends a herd
Johnny is a bonnie lad, was once a lad of mine
And I’ve never had a better love though I’ve had twenty-nine
And it’s you, Johnny laddie, and it’s you, my Johnny lad
And I’ve never had a better love than you,Johnny lad
And it’s you, Johnny laddie, and it’s you, my Johnny lad
And I’d dance the buckles off my shoes for you, Johnny lad

credits

from When Two Lovers Meet, released February 1, 1997
Trad arr. S. McQuaid
Sarah – guitar, vocals
John McSherry – whistle

license

all rights reserved

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Sarah McQuaid Penzance, UK

“One of the most instantly recognisable voices in current music … Shades of Joni Mitchell in a jam with Karen Carpenter and Lana Del Rey.” —Neil March, Trust The Doc

“Captivating, unorthodox songwriting … layered satin vocals ... enthralling, harrowing arrangements … a gateway into a true innovator’s soul.” —PopMatters

See sarahmcquaid.com/about for more info.
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