Indie Rock, Indie Talking Cure
Johnny I Hardly Knew Ya

Johnny I Hardly Knew Ya is a traditional anti-war song. Here are the original lyrics with a new music.

When on the road to sweet Athy,
When on the road to sweet Athy,
When on the road to sweet Athy
A stick in the hand, A drop in the eye
A doleful damsel I heard cry
Johnny I hardly knew ya

Where are the eyes that looked so mild,
Where are the eyes that looked so mild,
Where are the eyes that looked so mild
When my poor heart you first beguiled
Why did ya run from me and the child
Johnny I hardly knew ya

[Chorus:]
We had guns and drums and drums and guns,
We had guns and drums and drums and guns,
We had guns and drums and drums and guns
The enemy never slew ya
Johnny I hardly knew ya

Where are the legs we looked you run,
Where are the legs we looked you run,
Where are the legs that looked you run
But first you went to carry a gun
Indeed your dancing days are done
Oh Johnny, I hardly knew ye.

[Chorus:]
We had guns and drums and drums and guns,
We had guns and drums and drums and guns,
We had guns and drums and drums and guns
The enemy never slew ya
Johnny I hardly knew ya

Ye haven't an arm, ye haven't a leg, hurroo, hurroo
Ye haven't an arm, ye haven't a leg, hurroo, hurroo
Ye haven't an arm, ye haven't a leg
Ye're an armless, boneless, chickenless egg
You'll have to be left with a bowl out to beg
Oh Johnny I hardly knew ye.

[Chorus:]
We had guns and drums and drums and guns,
We had guns and drums and drums and guns,
We had guns and drums and drums and guns
The enemy never slew ya
Johnny I hardly knew ya

I'm happy for to see ye home,
I'm happy for to see ye home,
I'm happy for to see ye home
All from the island of Sulloon
So low in flesh, so high in bone
Oh Johnny I hardly knew ye.

[Chorus:]
We had guns and drums and drums and guns,
We had guns and drums and drums and guns,
We had guns and drums and drums and guns
The enemy never slew ya
Johnny I hardly knew ya