The Irish Rovers- Johnny I hardly knew ye

Hey guys, I liked the Irish Rovers version of "Johnny I hardly knew ye", an antiwar song and lament from the 1700's. Hope you enjoy.

LYRICS:
While goin' the road to sweet Athy, hurroo, hurroo
While goin' the road to sweet Athy, hurroo, hurroo
While goin' the road to sweet Athy
A stick in me hand and a drop in me eye
A doleful damsel I heard cry,
Johnny I hardly knew ye.
With your drums and guns and drums and guns, hurroo, hurroo
With your drums and guns and drums and guns, hurroo, hurroo
With your drums and guns and drums and guns
The enemy nearly slew ye
Oh my darling dear, Ye look so queer
Johnny I hardly knew ye.

Where are your eyes that were so mild, hurroo, hurroo
Where are your eyes that were so mild, hurroo, hurroo
Where are your eyes that were so mild
When my heart you so beguiled
Why did ye run from me and the child
Oh Johnny, I hardly knew ye.

Where are your legs that used to run, hurroo, hurroo
Where are your legs that used to run, hurroo, hurroo
Where are your legs that used to run
When you went for to carry a gun
Indeed your dancing days are done
Oh Johnny, I hardly knew ye.

I'm happy for to see ye home, hurroo, hurroo
I'm happy for to see ye home, hurroo, hurroo
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.

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
Ye'll have to put with a bowl out to beg
Oh Johnny I hardly knew ye.

They're rolling out the guns again, hurroo, hurroo
They're rolling out the guns again, hurroo, hurroo
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.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Ireland
• Folk
• Celtic
• Irish Rovers
• Johnny I hardly knew ye
• Celtic Music

[TheBondeMaister]

oooooo tanks a lot mate, i been loking all over for this song, best cover ever!!!

[Mahaim13]

@TheBondeMaister you're welcome :) I completely agree, this is a powerful song!

[TheDohnalek]

Thanks! Couldn't find it anywhere.

[Mahaim13]

@TheDohnalek Me too, after looking for quite a bit I then found the album and decided to upload it in case someone was stuck in the same situation as me :P cheers

[Mahaim13]

this is a great song, truly the best version of it that I've heard

[Keyboardnoobness]

Chicken less egg!!

[Prancer1231]

They're rolling out the guns again, hurroo, hurroo

They're rolling out the guns again, hurroo, hurroo

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.

[kdr2424]

i love the rovers but i still prefer the clancy brothers and tommy makem even if you can't really understand them

[MrMeighEO]

No other band can capture this song like the rovers!