Versions of this song (with various lyrics) date back to the late 18th century.
Intro = C G
Chorus
C
Oh dear what can the matter be
G
Dear dear what can the matter be
C
Oh dear what can the matter be
G C
Johnny's so long at the fair
Verse 1
C
He promised to buy me a trinket to please me
G
And then for a kiss oh he vowed he would tease me
C
He promised he'd bring me a bunch of blue ribbons
G C
To tie up my bonnie brown hair
Chorus
C
Oh dear what can the matter be
G
Dear dear what can the matter be
C
Oh dear what can the matter be
G C
Johnny's so long at the fair
Verse 2
C
He promised he'd bring me a basket of posies
G
A garland of lilies a garland of roses
C
A little straw hat to set off the blue ribbons
G C
That tie up my bonnie brown hair
Chorus
C
Oh dear what can the matter be
G
Dear dear what can the matter be
C
Oh dear what can the matter be
G C
Johnny's so long at the fair
