Johnny Johnny Yes Papa Lyrics

This traditional children's rhyme built around a simple call-and-response exchange between a parent and a child caught with sugar has no confirmed author or publication date, but its playful little "lie" and gentle punchline have kept it popular across generations. It's aimed at toddlers, roughly ages 2 to 4, who enjoy the short back-and-forth dialogue and the mild suspense of whether Johnny will get caught. Early-childhood educators sometimes use short dialogue-style songs like this one to model conversational turn-taking, since the fixed question-and-answer pattern gives toddlers an easy script to imitate long before they can improvise real conversation. Its brief, silly storyline about honesty also gives caregivers a light, non-preachy way to open a conversation about telling the truth, without turning it into a lecture. Because the whole song lasts well under a minute, it's easy to repeat several times back to back, which many toddlers ask for anyway. The simple two-voice structure also makes it a natural pick for call-and-response games between a parent and child. For more short, repeatable songs that toddlers latch onto quickly, see [why children love repetition in songs](/blog/why-children-love-repetition-in-songs).

Johnny, Johnny?
Yes, Papa?
Eating sugar?
No, Papa.
Telling lies?
No, Papa.
Open your mouth!
Ha ha ha!