Lyrics

Johnny I Hardly Knew Ye

While going the road to sweet Athy huroo, huroo
While going the road to sweet Athy huroo, huroo
While going the road to sweet Athy a stick in my hand and a drop in my eye
A doleful damsel I heard cry, “Johnny I hardly knew ye”

Chorus

With your drums and guns and drums and guns huroo, huroo
With your drums and guns and drums and guns huroo, huroo
With your drums and guns and drums and guns the enemy nearly slew ye
Oh my darling dear you look so queer, Johnny I hardly knew ye

Where are your eyes that looked so mild huroo, huroo
Where are your eyes that were so mild huroo, huroo
Where are your eyes that were so mild when my heart you so beguiled
Why did you run from me and the child, Johnny I hardly knew ye

Where are the legs with which you run huroo, huroo
Where are the legs with which you run huroo, huroo
Where are the legs with which you run when you went for to carry a gun
Indeed your dancing days are done, Johnny I hardly knew ye

Chorus

I’m happy for to see you home huroo, huroo
I’m happy for to see you home huroo, huroo
I’m happy for to see you home all from the island of Ceylon
So low in flesh so high in bone, Johnny I hardly knew ye

You haven’t an arm you haven’t a leg huroo huroo
You haven’t an arm you haven’t a leg huroo huroo
You haven’t an arm you haven’t a leg you’re an eyelss, boneless, chickenless egg
You’ll have to be put with a bowl out to beg, Johnny I hardly knew ye

Chorus

They’re rolling out the guns again huroo, huroo
They’re rolling out the guns again huroo, huroo
They’re rolling out the guns again but they never will take our sons again
No they never will take our sons again, Johnny I’m swearing to ye