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 bring me a bunch of blue ribbons To tie up my bonny 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 buy me a basket of posies A garland of lilies, a gift of red roses A little straw hat to set off the blue ribbons And tie up my bonny 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