Here are the words from the book 'Middleton Spree' by Mike Canavan which contains 10 of his songs. It is typed exactly as printed, including the 'nearl' in verse 5 which must be a typo rather than Lancashire dialect(?).

The other songs were :
The Ghost of the Sad Cavalier
Sat'day Matinee
Song of a City
On Nights Like These
Middleton Spree
Patch of Green
Why Don't You Sing?
Sunshine Song
Whistling Jimmy.




John Willie Lees                                                 Mike Canavan

In Middleton Junction there's a brewery so fine,
Where they make a potion much sweeter than wine,
And if you've never tried it then now is the time,
For a pint of John Willie Lees, Willie Lees,
A pint of John Willie Lees.

Since the year 1830 come wind, rain or hail,
The family of Lees have been brewin' strong ale,
And in the pubs round about you can say without fail,
A pint of John Willie Lees, Willie Lees,
A pint of John Willie Lees.

Now I know t'other breweries so big and so grand,
Have factories and offices throughout the land,
Well I say you can keep 'em, just stick in my hand
A pint of John Willie Lees, Willie Lees,
A pint of John Willie Lees.

Now my poor mate Charlie was on his death bed
And the doctor of physic was shakin' his head,
We'd all give up hope until some bright spark said:
A pint of John Willie Lees, Willie Lees,
A pint of John Willie Lees.

Constipation were troubling old Florrie, poor dear,
Till they gave her ten gallons of John Willie's beer,
She's been on the loo now for nearl four years,
With pints of John Willie Lees, etc,

It's good for your lungs and it's good for your heart,
It cleans out your stomach, every last little part,
It makes some men belch and other men - hiccup??
Does pints of John Willie Lees, etc

So if ever you're travelling down Middleton way,
You know what to do, you must make no delay,
Nip into the first public house there and stay
For a pint of John Willie Lees, etc.