Johnny I Hardly Knew Ye

The tune Johnny Comes Marching Home Again was originally an old Irish song. The original words, however were not the triumphant versus of the Civil War tune but instead are lament of the true horrors of the human cost of any war. Words that should be kept foremost in thoughtful minds before the dogs of war are unleashed.

With your guns and drums and drums and guns. Haroo, Haroo
With your guns and drums and drums and guns. Haroo, Haroo
With your guns and drums and drums and guns.
The enemy neatly slew ye.
O Johnny you do look bad, Johnny I hardly knew ye

Where are your eyes that were so mild? Haroo. Haroo
Where are your eyes that were so mild? Haroo. Haroo
Where are your eyes that were so mild?
Where my heart you first beguiled
Oh why did you run from me and the child, Johnny I hardly knew ye.

Where are your legs that used to run, Haroo. Haroo.
Where are your legs that used to run, Haroo. Haroo
Where are your legs that used to run
When first you went to carry a gun?
Oh you know your dancing days are done, Johnny I hardly knew ye.

You haven't an arm, you haven't a leg. Haroo. Haroo.
You haven't an arm, you haven't a leg. Haroo. Haroo.
You haven't an arm, you haven't a leg.
Your a hopeless shell of a man on a peg
And you'll have to be put with your bowl to beg, Johnny I hardly knew ye.

Its glad I am to see you home. Haroo. Haroo.
Its glad I am to see you home. Haroo. Haroo.
Its glad I am to see you home.
Back from the Island of Ceylon
So low in flesh, so high in bone, Johnny I hardly knew ye.

They're rollin out the drums again. Haroo. Haroo
They're rollin out the drums again. Haroo. Haroo
They're rollin out the drums again.
But they'll never take my sons again, Johnny I'm swearing to ye!