When I was a wee thing and easy led astray It's before I would work I would rather sport and play It's before I would work I would rather sport and play With my Johnny on the banks of red roses On the banks of red roses my love and I sat down He took out his fiddle and began to play a tune And when the tune was ended, his love broke down and cried "Oh Johnny, darling Johnny, never leave me!" He took out his pocket knife, and it was long and sharp And he plunged it through and through the bonny lassie's hart He plunged it through and through the bonny lassie's heart And he left her lying low among the roses When I was a wee thing and easy led astray It's before I would work I would rather sport and play It's before I would work I would rather sport and play With my Johnny on the banks of red roses