Digital Tradition Mirror

Johnny I Hardly Knew You (2)

(This score available as ABC, SongWright, PostScript, PNG, or PMW, or a MIDI file)
Pennywhistle notation and Dulcimer tab for this song is also available

Johnny I Hardly Knew You (2)

When goin' the road to Wexford town, Horoe, horoe,
When goin' the road to Wexford town, Horoe, horoe,
I met a man of great reknown
He was clad in a suit of khaki brown,
He loved me once but now did frown,
Johnnie I hardly knew ye.

With drums and guns etc.,
The English lords did woo you,
Oh darling dear you look so queer,
Oh Johnnie I hardly knew you!

Where is the Bill that looked so fair etc.
Where is the promised Bill so fair,
In which my dead sons were to share,
You drove them forth and did not care,
Since you their anguish would not share,
Oh Johnnie I hardly knew you!

You drove them forth to slay the Hun,
Yes every single mother's son,
Though a million English slackers run,
And all for this precious Bill you've won,
Och Johnnie I hardly knew you!

You're worse than famine in the land,
You're worse than famine in the land,
With lords and ladies so fine and grand,
To finish the Gaels you well have planned,
And leave for the Saxon your native land,
Och Johnnie I hardly knew you!

An anti-World War I song. John Redmond is being chastised
for urging the Volunteers to fight for England.
Broadside Ballads, NLI, Dublin.
From the Voice of the People, Mulcahy and Fitzgibbon
RG

Thanks to Mudcat for the Digital Tradition!