O dear what can the matter be?
O dear what can the matter be?
O dear what can the matter be?
Johnnie's so long at the fair.

He promised to buy me a bunch of blue ribbon,
He promised to buy me a bunch of blue ribbon,
He promised to buy me a bunch of blue ribbon,
To tie up my bonnie brown hair .

He promised to bring me a basket of posies,
A garland of lilies, a garland of roses,
A little straw hat to set off the blue ribbons
That tie up my bonnie brown hair.