Johnny Be Fair
Kinship Dilemma: A Tale of Love, Secrets, and Family Bonds
Lyrics
Well, Johnny be fair and Johnny be fine and wants me for to wed
Johnny expresses interest in marrying the speaker.
And I would marry Johnny, but my father up and said
The speaker wants to marry Johnny, but her father reveals a family secret.
I'm sad to tell you daughter what your mother never knew
The father informs the daughter of a hidden truth about Johnny's identity.
But Johnny is a son of mine and so he's kin to you
Johnny is revealed to be the son of the speaker's father, making him a relative.
Well, Jimmy be fair and Jimmy be fine and wants me for to wed
Similar situation with Jimmy wanting to marry the speaker.
And I would marry Jimmy, but my father up and said
The speaker's father discloses Jimmy's familial connection, making him a relative.
I'm sad to tell you daughter what your mother never knew
The daughter learns the truth about Jimmy being her father's son.
But Jimmy, too, is a son of mine and so he's kin to you
Jimmy is identified as a kin to the speaker.
Well, Billy be fair and Billy be fine and wants me for to wed
Billy expresses a desire to marry the speaker.
And I would marry Billy, but my father up and said
The father reveals a similar familial tie with Billy.
I'm sad to tell you daughter what your mother never knew
The daughter is saddened by the repeated revelation of her suitors being kin.
But Billy, too, is a son of mine and so he's kin to you
Billy is disclosed as another son of the speaker's father.
You never seen a girl so sad and sorry as I was
The speaker expresses deep sadness and sorrow due to the situation.
The boys in town are all my kin and my father is the pa
The boys in town are revealed to be kin to the speaker, and her father is the common parent.
If this continue I shall die a single miss
The speaker fears a life of singlehood if this situation continues.
So I'll go to mother and complain to her of this
The speaker plans to complain to her mother about the predicament.
Oh daughter, haven't I taught you to forgive and to forget
The mother advises the daughter to forgive and forget despite the revelations.
Even if this all is true, still you needn't fret
The mother reassures the daughter, suggesting that the truth shouldn't cause distress.
Your father may be father to all the boys in town, still
The mother acknowledges the father's role in the town but asserts that he is not the biological father.
He's not the one who sired you, so marry who you will
The mother encourages the daughter to marry whomever she wishes, implying that biological parentage matters less.
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