; Original lyrics, 1917, by
Ed Rose :; 1st verse (16 bars, , E♭ Major) :
All the girls are crazy about a certain little lad, : ''Al-tho he's very, very bad,'' :
He could be, oh, so good when he wanted to : ''Bad or good he understood 'bout love and other things,'' :
For every girl in town followed him around, :
Just to hold his hand and sing: :; Chorus (32 bars) :
Oh, Johnny! Oh, Johnny! :
How you can love! :
Oh, Johnny! Oh, Johnny! :
Heavens above! :
You make my sad heart jump with joy, : ''And when you're near I just'' : ''Can't sit still a minute. I'm so,'' :
Oh, Johnny! Oh, Johnny! :
Please tell me dear. :
What makes me love you so? : ''You're not handsome, it's true,'' :
But when I look at you, :
I just, Oh, Johnny! :
Oh, Johnny! Oh! :; 2nd verse :
Johnny tried his best to hide from every girl he knew, : ''But even this he couldn't do,'' :
For they would follow him most everywhere, :
Then his friends got him to spend a week or two at home : ''It's worse now than before, 'cause the girl next door hollers thru the telephone:'' :
(chorus) ---- ;
World War I patriotic version, 1917, lyrics added by
Raymond A. Sherwood :; Verse : ''Uncle Sam is calling now for ev'ry mother's son'' :
To go get behind a gun and keep Old Glory waving on the sea :
Now prepare to be right there to help the cause along : ''To every chap you meet when you're on the street'' :
You can sing this little song: :; Chorus :
Oh, Johnny, oh Johnny, why do you lag? :
Oh, Johnny, oh Johnny, run to your flag : ''You're county's calling can't you hear?'' : ''Don't stay behind while others do all the fighting, Start to'' :
Oh, Johnny! Oh, Johnny! Get right in line, :
And help to crush to foe. : ''You're a big husky chap,'' : ''Uncle Sam's in a scrap, You must!'' :
Go, Johnny! Go, Johnny! Go! ---- ; Self-Calling circle dance version, date unknown :; (To the chorus melody) :
Well, you all join hands as you circle the ring :
Stop where you are, give your honey a swing :
Swing that little gal behind you :
Swing your own, if you have time when you get home :
Allemande left with the corner gal :
Do-si-do with your own :
Then you all promenade :
With the sweet corner maid :
Singing "Oh, Johnny! Oh, Johnny! Oh!" == Inspiration for the song ==