This is among my favorites, too. I got it from Tom Lenihan as well, back in the 1980's. My version has another verse. It goes between being arrested by "the Peelers" (in my version) and when the magistrate first admonishes Paddy to "be careful."

Well, to stand before the magistrate he has to appear next day;
And asked what all the crimes he'd done, and what he had to say.
"Well, to tell the truth," says Paddy, "I'm accused of mor'n I did:
He said speak to your brother and I did as I was bid."

The song is great fun even though the set-up for the punch line is so obvious. I guess that's actually part of the fun: you know that something's coming but...what?

Cheers,

David