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 smile, oh, he vowed he would tease me He promised to buy 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 to bring me a basket of posies A garland of lilies, a gift of red 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? Oh, dear! What can the matter be? Oh, dear! What can the matter be? Johnny's so long at the fair.