Johnny Sparrow, laid to rest,
Raven sits on his oaken chest,
In the tower by bed of straw
Smoking musket on the floor.
Johnny Sparrow, once a lord,
With velvet tunic, silver sword,
Heart broken by unfaithful wife
Took his musket, took her life.
Johnny Sparrow, wife was smitten
By love poems sweetly written,
His amorous words were enough
For her to pledge unrequited love.
Johnny Sparrow, the poet knew,
Once a friend, he had but few,
Frequented taverns, porters sunk
Until them both were rolling drunk.
Robert Horton