P stands for Paddy, I suppose
J for my love John
W stands for the false Willie-O
But Johnny is the fairest one.

Johnnie is the fairest one,
Yes Johnnie is the fairest one
W stands for the false Willie-O
But Johnny is the fairest one.

I climbed up an old oak tree
to rob a wild bird's nest
I fell down without breaking leaf or flower
to the one that I love best

To the arms that I love best
To the arms that I love best
I fell down without breaking leaf or flower
to the one that I love best

Come sit beside me dear
Now and forever more
It's a long three quarters of a year or more
Since we together have been

Since we together have been my dear
Since we together have been
It's a long three quarters of a year or more
Since we together have been

P stands for Paddy, I suppose
J for my love John
W stands for the false Willie-O
But Johnny is the fairest one.

Learnt on an EFDSS Christmas course in the late 1950s.