As I went out a bright morning to take a pleasant walk
I sat down beside on an old stone wall just to hear two lovers talk.
For to hear two lovers talk, my love, to hear what they might say
So I might learn a little more, love, before I go away

P it stands for Paddy, I suppose
J for my love John
W stands for false Willy O
But Johnny is the fairest man
"Johnny is the fairest man," she said
"Johnny is the fairest man
I don't care what anybody says
But Johnny is the fairest man"

Well come and sit beside me, love, beside me on the green
It's a long three quarters of a year or more since together we have been
Since together we have been, my dear, together we have been
It's a long three quarters of a year or more since together we have been

"Oh, I'll not sit beside you,love, now or any other time
For I hear you love another little lass and your heart's no longer mine
"And your heart's no longer mine," she said, "your heart's no longer mine
I don't care what anybody says your heart's no longer mine."

So I will climb a high, high tree and I rob a wild bird's nest
Back I'll bring what I find there to the girl I love the best
"To the girl I love the best", he said, "the girl I love the best
Back I'll bring what I find there to the girl I love the best"

P it stands for Paddy, I suppose
J for my love John
W stands for false Willy O
But Johnny is the fairest man
"Johnny is the fairest man," she said
"Johnny is the fairest man
I don't care what anybody says
But Johnny is the fairest man"

Johnny is the fairest man
He's beside me on the green
His true love is told
Your love is told