Debra Cowan Johnny Be Fair (trad) lyrics

O Johnny be fair and Johnny be good
And he wants me for to wed
And I would have married Johnny
But me father up and said
I hate to tell you daughter,
But your mother never knew
That Johnny he's a son of mine
And so is kin to you

O, Willie be fair and Willie be good
And he wants me for to wed
And I would have married Willie
But me father up and said
I hate to tell you daughter,
But your mother never knew
That Willie he's a son of mine
And so is kin to you

Jimmy be fair and Jimmy be good

And he wants me for to wed
And I would have married Jimmy
But me father up and said
I hate to tell you daughter,
But your mother never knew
That Jimmy he's a son of mine
And so is kin to you

So I went home to me mother
And I hung me head in shame
Of all the lads in the village,
I couldn't change me name
My mother said “If your father knew,
It's me he'd surely kill
For your father's not your father,
So marry whom you will”