Celtic Lyrics Corner > Artists & Groups > Karan Casey > Ships In The Forest > Johnny I Hardly Knew Ye

Johnny I Hardly Knew Ye     Credits: Traditional; arranged by Karan Casey, Donald Shaw & Niall Vallely     Appears On: Ships In The Forest     Language: English

Lyrics:

While goin' the road to sweet Athy
Hurroo hurroo
While goin' the road to sweet Athy
Hurroo hurroo
Goin' the road to sweet Athy
A stick in me hand, 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 drums and guns and drums and guns
The enemy nearly slew ye
My darling dear, you 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 you run from me and the child?
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 the gun?
Indeed, your dancing days are done
Johnny, I hardly knew ye

You haven't an arm, you haven't a leg
Hurroo hurroo
You haven't an arm, you haven't a leg
Hurroo hurroo
You haven't an arm, you haven't a leg
You're an armless, boneless, chickenless egg
You'll have to put a bowl out to beg
Johnny, I hardly knew ye

I'm happy for to see you home
Hurroo hurroo
I'm happy for to see you home
Hurroo hurroo
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

With your drums and guns and drums and guns
Hurroo hurroo
With your drums and guns and drums and guns
Hurroo hurroo
With drums and guns and drums and guns
The enemy nearly slew ye
My darling dear, you look so queer
Johnny, I hardly knew ye