Johnny, I Hardly Knew Ye
When goin' the road to sweet Athy, haroo, haroo
When goin' the road to sweet Athy, haroo, haroo
When goin' the road to sweet Athy
A stick in me hand and a drop in me eye
A doleful damsel I heard cry
"Johnny I hardly knew ye"
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 nearly slew ye
Oh darling dear your look so queer
Johnny I hardly knew ye.
Where are those eyes with which you smiled, haroo, haroo
Where are those eyes with which you smiled, haroo, haroo
Where are those eyes with which you smiled
When my poor heart you first beguiled
Why did you go leave me and the child
Johnny I hardly knew ye.
With your guns...
Where are those legs with which you ran, haroo, haroo
Where are those legs with which you ran, haroo, haroo
Where are those legs with which you ran
When you went to carry your gun
Indeed your dancing days are gone
Johnny I hardly knew ye
With your guns...
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're an eyeless, nosesless, chickenless egg
You'll have to be put with a bowl to beg,
Johnny, I hardly knew ye.
With your guns...
I'm happy for to see you home, haroo, haroo
I'm happy for to see you home, haroo, haroo
I'm happy for to see you home
Back from the island of Salom
So low in flesh, so high in bone
Johnny, I hardly knew ye.
With your guns...
traditional
One of the best anti-war songs I know.