In eighteen hundred fifty six, a man named Johnny Hall

Set out to gain his liberty and let his irons fall

In flight from one Mr. Dunlap, who last held him in thrall

And sent by Mary Weaver, the lily of the south.

Now Johnny was to bondage born, his mother’s master’s son

To Richmond he was sold away when he was still quite young

In lonesome years of bitter toil, he found that he had won

The heart of Mary Weaver, the lily of the south.

This Irish girl was not annoyed by kinks in Johnny’s hair

Nor paid she mind the coloured blood to which he was an heir

She only saw a Christian soul both steadfast, bold, and fair

That faithful Mary Weaver, the lily of the south.

In Mary’s dear Virginia home, they could not married be

But she would sure forsake it all to see her Johnny free

She helped him slip away by night, and raised his passage fee

So true was Mary Weaver, the lily of the south.

So Johnny rode a schooner north, according to their plan

While Mary made for Canada quick as the traincoach ran

When next they met in Hamilton, he stood his own free man

And wedded Mary Weaver, the lily of the south.

Chords: (3/4)

    G        D       G    Em                C      G

In eighteen hundred fifty six, a man named Johnny Hall

     G              Em    D      G             C

Set out to gain his liberty and let his irons fall

     G                 Em  D        G                C

In flight from one Mr. Dunlap, who last held him in thrall

     G       D    G  Em           C       G

And sent by Mary Weaver, the lily of the south.