hollombe@ttidcc.UUCP (Jerry Hollombe) (01/11/85)
>From: dsc@daemon.UUCP (David S. Comay) >Subject: `When Johnny Comes Marching Home' >Message-ID: <227@daemon.UUCP> > >Can anyone give me any information about the famous folk song that goes >`When Johnny comes marching home again ...'? I am curious as to who >(if known) wrote the song, when and where it was published (I think it >is an Irish folk song ... my favorite!), and if the words and music >are printed in any books? Thanks very much. > >David The original version of the song is an Irish lament titled "Johnny I Hardly Knew You". I'm not sure where you'll find it published, though any good folk reference should have it. The verses I remember (as sung by Terrea Lea) are listed below. BTW, are there any other Terrea Lea fans out there? She's been out of the music world for some time now (last performance I remember was circa 1973). She did most of her performing at The Garret, a coffee house in West Hollywood (which she owned), but also put out about half a dozen albums and made numerous TV appearances (remember The Folk World of Jimmy Rodgers?). After The Garret closed she performed at the Ice House in Pasadena and The Blah Blah in North Hollywood. Is this nostalgia to anyone else, or am I the only old folkie around? JOHNNY I HARDLY KNEW YOU 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 you. Oh darlin'John it's been so long. {or: Oh darlin' dear you do look queer.} Johnny I hardly knew you. 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? I fear your dancing days are done. Johnny I hardly knew you. 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 When first my young heart you beguiled? Oh, why did you run from me and the child? Johnny I hardly knew you. You haven't an arm and you haven't a leg Haroo, haroo You haven't an arm and you haven't a leg Haroo, haroo You haven't an arm and you haven't a leg You're a hopless shell of a man on a peg And you'll have to be put with a bowl to beg. Johnny I hardly knew you. They're rolling out the guns again Haroo, haroo They're rolling out the guns again Haroo, haroo They're rolling out the guns again But they'll never take our sons again. No they'll never take our sons again Johnny I'm swearing to you. -- ============================================================================== ... sitting in a pile of junk on the runway, wondering what happened ... The Polymath (Jerry Hollombe) Citicorp TTI If thy CRT offend thee, pluck 3100 Ocean Park Blvd. it out and cast it from thee. Santa Monica, California 90405 (213) 450-9111, ext. 2483 {vortex,philabs}!ttidca!ttidcc!hollombe