Well, Johnny be fine and Johnny be fair he wants me for to wed
And I would marry Johnny, but my father up and said
I’m sorry to tell you daughter what your mother never knew
But Johnny he’s a son of mine, so he’s kin to you

Well, Willie be fine and Willie be fair he wants me for to wed
And I would marry Willie, but my father up and said
I’m sorry to tell you daughter what your mother never knew
But Willie he’s a son of mine, so he’s kin to you

Well, Jimmy be fine and Jimmy be fair he wants me for to wed
And I would marry Jimmy, but my father up and said
I’m sorry to tell you daughter what your mother never knew
But Jimmy he’s a son of mine, so he’s kin to you

Well, never was there a girl so sad and sorry as I was
The boys in town, they’re all my kin and my father is the cause!
I will not be contented for to die a single miss
I think I’ll go to mother and complain to her of this

Well, daughter, haven’t I taught you to forgive and to forget?
So, your father sowed his oats, oh still you should not fret
Your father may be the cause of all the boys in town, but still
He’s not the one who sired you so marry who you will