Versions of this song (with various lyrics) date back to the late 18th century. = Oh dear what can the matter be Dear dear what can the matter be Oh dear what can the matter be Johnny's so long at the fair He promised to buy me a trinket to please me And then for a kiss oh he vowed he would tease me He promised he'd bring me a bunch of blue ribbons To tie up my bonnie brown hair Oh dear what can the matter be Dear dear what can the matter be Oh dear what can the matter be Johnny's so long at the fair He promised he'd 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 Oh dear what can the matter be Dear dear what can the matter be Oh dear what can the matter be Johnny's so long at the fair
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