Johnny I Hardly Knew Ya is one of the most powerful anti-war songs ever to come out of Ireland.
It tells the story of a young woman’s grief when she sees her lover, the father to her child, return from war with his body mutilated and broken.
The imagery is graphic and at times grotesque for this is a song that pulls no punches.
It sets out the horrors of war as a way of ensuring that young Irishmen would never be sent to fight in British wars again.
lyrics
When on the road to sweet Athy,
Hurroo Hurroo
When on the road to sweet Athy,
Hurroo Hurroo
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
We had guns and drums and drums and guns,
Hurroo Hurroo
We had guns and drums and drums and guns,
Hurroo Hurroo
We had guns and drums and drums and guns
The enemy never slew ya
Johnny I hardly knew ya
Where are the eyes that looked so mild,
Hurroo Hurroo
Where are the eyes that looked so mild,
Hurroo Hurroo
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
We had guns and drums and drums and guns,
Hurroo Hurroo
We had guns and drums and drums and guns,
Hurroo Hurroo
We had guns and drums and drums and guns
The enemy never slew ya
Johnny I hardly knew ya
Where are the legs with which you run,
Hurroo Hurroo
Where are the legs with which you run,
Hurroo Hurroo
Where are the legs with which you run,
When first you went to carry a gun
Indeed your dancing days are done
Johnny I hardly knew ya
We had guns and drums and drums and guns,
Hurroo Hurroo
We had guns and drums and drums and guns,
Hurroo Hurroo
We had guns and drums and drums and guns
The enemy never slew ya
Johnny I hardly knew ya
You hadn't an arm, you hadn't a leg,
Hurroo Hurroo
You hadn't an arm, you hadn't a leg,
Hurroo Hurroo
You hadn't an arm, you hadn't a leg
You're a spinless, boneless, chickenless egg
You'll Have to be put with the bowl to beg
Johnny I hardly knew ya
We had guns and drums and drums and guns,
Hurroo Hurroo
We had guns and drums and drums and guns,
Hurroo Hurroo
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 ya home,
Hurroo Hurroo
I'm happy for to see ya home,
Hurroo Hurroo
I'm happy for to see ya home
From the isle of Ceylon
Johnny I hardly knew ya
We had guns and drums and drums and guns,
Hurroo Hurroo
We had guns and drums and drums and guns,
Hurroo Hurroo
We had guns and drums and drums and guns
The enemy never slew ya
Johnny I hardly knew ya
Source: Musixmatch
Songwriters: Tommy Makem / Liam Clancy / Pat Clancy / Tom Clancy
credits
from Slake Yer Drouth,
released December 30, 2020
Guitar & Vocals: Alan Lumsden
Guitar & Vocals: Chippy MacFarlane
Bass: Dougie Mathieson
Fiddle: Kevin O'Donnell
Flute & Lead Vocals: Steve Shields
Recorded and mixed in Chambers Studio Edinburgh, by Niall Sinclair
Remix and Mastering in Sunroom Studio Kippen, by Alan Moffat
With much thanks to Dougie Mathieson for recording pretty awesome bass lines remotely from his home.
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