Johnny arose on a May mornin'
Gone for water tae wash his hands
He hae loused tae me, oh, his twa grey dogs
That lie bound in iron bands
Verse
When Johnny's mother, she heard o' this
Her hands for dule she wrang
Cryin', "Johnny, for yer venison
Tae the green woods dinna ye gang"
Verse
Aye, but Johnny hae taen his good benbow
His arrows one by one
Aye, and he's awa tae the green wood gaen
Tae dae the dun deer doon
Verse
Oh Johnny, he shot, aye the dun deer she lapp't
He wounded her in the side
Aye, between the water and the wood
The grey dogs laid their pride
Instrumental
Verse
It's by there cam' a silly auld man
Wi' an ill that John he might dee
Oh, and he's awa' doon tae Esslemont
Well, the King's seven foresters tae see
Verse
It's up and spake the first forester
He was heid ane amang them a'
"Can this be Johnny O' Braidislee?
Untae him we will draw"
Verse
An' the first shot that the foresters, they fired
They wounded John in the knee
An' the second shot that the foresters, they fired
Well, his hairt's blood blint his e'e
Verse
But he's leaned his back against an oak
An' his foot against a stane
Oh and he hae fired on the seven foresters
An' he's killed them a' but ane
Verse
Aye, he hae broke fower o' this man's ribs
His airm and his collar bain
Oh and he has sent him on a horse
For tae carry the tidings hame
Instrumental
Verse
Johnny's good benbow, it lies broke
His twa grey dogs, they lie deid
And his body, it lies doon in Monymusk
And his huntin' days are daen
His huntin' days are daen
Outro