Johny Johnny Yes Papa: A Short Nursery Rhyme

This classic nursery rhyme dates back to the early 20th Century. It is a timeless poem taught to the kids with a lesson in it. Kids love to recite this rhyme with gestures. In this short poem, a kid named Johnny was caught eating sugar by his father. Let us find out the interesting story in the lyrics of this rhyme.

Johny Johny Yes Papa lyrics English

The lyrics of this popular rhyme are:

Johny, Johny,

Yes papa?

Eating sugar?

No papa.

Telling lies?

No papa.

Open your mouth

Ha ha ha!

Meaning of Johnny Johnny Lyrics

This is a simple rhyme where every line has two or three words. Kids at the nursery level can easily memorise this rhyme with the gestures shown. They also love to recite this rhyme because of the story of mischief.

Kids love to eat sugar and sweets. It is a natural habit that develops in almost every kid we see. This rhyme is based on this habit where a kid had a mouthful of sugar. He stealthily put a handful of sugar in his mouth and was about to get away with it.

His father saw him in a suspicious condition. His father asked him whether he was eating sugar in the kitchen or not. At first, Johnny tried to hide the fact that he was indeed eating sugar alone in the kitchen when no one was there.

Johnny was Caught Eating Sugar

When he was asked to open his mouth by his father, he knew he couldn't hide it anymore. Johnny laughed as his mischief was caught red-handed.

Significance of Johny Johny Yes Papa English Rhyme

This is a rhyme based on the lovable mischief done by kids when their parents are not watching. This rhyme has a hidden message to deliver to the nursery kids too.

As the lyrics of the poem suggest, Johnny is fond of eating sweets and his parents are aware of it. It is sure that his parents control his urge to eat sugar and sweets as he was stealthily eating sugar in the kitchen.

Johnny Eating Sugar 

To his surprise, he was seen by his father while eating sugar. When his father confronted him politely, he did not accept at first. It means he was lying to his father. Eventually, he got caught with a mouthful of sugar.

This rhyme explains that lying is not a good trait. Kids must be loyal and honest to their parents. Hiding a simple incident like this may become a bitter habit in the future. This rhyme explains why kids should not lie to their parents at an early age and learn to be honest at all costs.

Tips for Parents

Parents can explain the entire rhyme to the kids. The lines such as ‘open your mouth hahaha’ are simple and can be easily grabbed by the nursery kids. They can also add gestures to explain and let the kids mimic them. This rhyme is a perfect tool to teach hand-and-mouth coordination with the lyrics. Kids will also learn the lesson of honesty. They will also realise why lying is bad and how truth is always revealed.