Lyrics:

Johnny arose on a May morning Called for water tae wash his hand
Gae lowse tae me my twa grey dogs That lie bound in iron bands

When Johnny's mother she heard o' this Her hands for a duel she wrang
Crying, Johnny for your venison Tae the green wood dare no' gang

But he has ta'en his good ben bow His arrows one by one
And he's awa' tae the green wood ga'en Tae ding the dun deer doon

Johnny shot and the dun deer leapt And he wounded her in the side
And between the water and the wood The grey dogs laid her pride

By there come a silly auld man And an ill death may he dee
For he's awa' tae Esslemont The king's seven foresters tae see

Then up and spoke the first forester He was heid man ower them a'
Gin this be Jock O'Breadislee Untae him we will draw

The first shot that the forester fired It wounded him in the knee
And the next shot that the forester fired His heart's blood blint his e'e

He's leant his back against an oak His foot against a stane
And he's fired on the seven foresters And he's killed them a' but ane

He's broken four o' this man's ribs His airm and his collar bane
And then he sat him on a horse Tae carry the tidings hame

Noo Johnny's good bent bow lies broke His twa grey dogs lie slain
And his body lies in Monymusk And his huntin' days are dane