[Verse 1]
Oh Johnny be good and Johnny be fair, and he wants me for to wed
And I would've married Johnny, but me father up and said:
"I hate to tell you, daughter, for your mother never knew
Johnny, he's a son of mine, and so he's kin to you."

[Verse 2]
Oh Willie be good and Willie be fair, and he wants me for to wed
And I would've married Willie, but me father up and said:
"I hate to tell you, daughter, for your mother never knew
Willie, he's a son of mine, and so he's kin to you."

[Verse 3]
Oh Jimmy be good and Jimmy be fair, and he wants me for to wed
And I would've married Jimmy, but me father up and said:
"I hate to tell you, daughter, for your mother never knew
Jimmy, he's a son of mine, and so he's kin to you."

[Verse 4]
So I went up to me mother, and I hung my head in shame
For all the lads in town and me name I couldn't change
She said, "My dearest girl, your father me will surely kill
But your father's not your father, so marry who you will."

[Verse 5]
Oh Johnny be good and Johnny be fair, and he wants me for to wed
Now I'm to marry Johnny, since me mother up and said
"I hate to tell you, father, for I'm sure you never knew
Johnny, he's no kin of mine and nor am I to you."
[Verse 6]
Oh Johnny be good and Johnny be fair, and he wants me for to wed
Now I'm to marry Johnny, since me mother up and said
"I hate to tell you, father, for I'm sure you never knew
Johnny, he's no kin of mine and nor am I to you."

[Instrumental]