Farewell, my lovely Johnny,
A thousand times adieu
You are going away from the Holy Ground
And the ones that you love true
You will sail the salt seas over
And return again for sure
To see again the ones you love
And the Holy Ground once more.

You are on the salt sea sailing
And I am safe behind
Fond letters I will write to you
The secrets of my mind
And the secrets of my mind, love
You're the one that I adore
And still I live in hopes you'll see
The Holy Ground once more.

I see the storm a-rising
And it's coming quick and soon
And the night so dark and cloudy
You can scarcely see the moon.
And the wind is fiercely blowing
And the waves crash on the shore
But still I live in hopes you'll see
The Holy Ground once more.

But now the storm is over
And you are safe and well
We will go into a public house
And we'll sit and drink our fill
We will drink strong ale and porter
And we'll make the rafters roar
And when our money, it is all spent
You will go to sea once more.

You will sail the salt seas over
And return again for sure
To see again the ones you love
And the Holy Ground once more.

words Traditional/adapted by Lisa Theriot
music Traditional