A recruiting sergeant came our way
To an inn nearby at the close of day
He said young Johnny you're a fine young man
Would you like to march along behind a military band,
With a scarlet coat and a big cocked hat,
And a musket at your shoulder,
The shilling he took and he kissed the book,
Oh poor Johnny what will happen to ya?
The recruiting sergeant marched away
From the Inn nearby at the break of day,
Johnny went too with half a ring
He was off to be a soldier he'd be fighting for the King
In a far off war in a far off land
To face a foreign soldier,
But how will you fare when there's lead in the air,
Oh poor Johnny what'll happen to ya?
What makes you go abroad fighting for strangers
When you could be safe at home free from all dangers?
The sun shone hot on a barren land
As a thin red line took a military stand,
There was sling shot, chain shot, grape shot too,
Swords and bayonets thrusting through,
Poor Johnny fell but the day was won
And the King is grateful to you
But your soldiering's done and they're sending you home,
Oh poor Johnny what have they done to ya?
They said he was a hero and not to grieve
Over two wooden pegs and empty sleeves,
They carried him home and set him down
With a military pension and a medal from the crown.
You haven't an arm and you haven't a leg,
The enemy nearly slew you,
You'll have to go out on the streets to beg,
Oh poor Johnny what have they done to ya?
What makes you go abroad fighting for strangers
When you could be safe at home free from all dangers?
O Polly love, O Polly love, the route it is begun,
And we must march away at the beating of a drum,
Go dress yourself in all your best and come along with me,
I'll take you to the war, my love, in High Germany.
O Billy, dearest Billy, now mind what you do say,
My feet they are so tender I cannot march away,
Besides, my dearest Billy, I am with child by thee,
Not fitting for the war, my love, in High Germany.
O Polly love, O Polly love, I love you very well,
There are few in any place, my Polly can excel.
And when your baby's born, love,
and sits smiling on your knee,
You will think on your Billy that's in High Germany.
Cursed be the cruel wars, that ever they began,
For they have pressed my Billy, and many a clever man,
For they have pressed my Billy and all my brothers three,
And sent them to the cruel wars in High Germany.
To an inn nearby at the close of day
He said young Johnny you're a fine young man
Would you like to march along behind a military band,
With a scarlet coat and a big cocked hat,
And a musket at your shoulder,
The shilling he took and he kissed the book,
Oh poor Johnny what will happen to ya?
The recruiting sergeant marched away
From the Inn nearby at the break of day,
Johnny went too with half a ring
He was off to be a soldier he'd be fighting for the King
In a far off war in a far off land
To face a foreign soldier,
But how will you fare when there's lead in the air,
Oh poor Johnny what'll happen to ya?
What makes you go abroad fighting for strangers
When you could be safe at home free from all dangers?
The sun shone hot on a barren land
As a thin red line took a military stand,
There was sling shot, chain shot, grape shot too,
Swords and bayonets thrusting through,
Poor Johnny fell but the day was won
And the King is grateful to you
But your soldiering's done and they're sending you home,
Oh poor Johnny what have they done to ya?
They said he was a hero and not to grieve
Over two wooden pegs and empty sleeves,
They carried him home and set him down
With a military pension and a medal from the crown.
You haven't an arm and you haven't a leg,
The enemy nearly slew you,
You'll have to go out on the streets to beg,
Oh poor Johnny what have they done to ya?
What makes you go abroad fighting for strangers
When you could be safe at home free from all dangers?
O Polly love, O Polly love, the route it is begun,
And we must march away at the beating of a drum,
Go dress yourself in all your best and come along with me,
I'll take you to the war, my love, in High Germany.
O Billy, dearest Billy, now mind what you do say,
My feet they are so tender I cannot march away,
Besides, my dearest Billy, I am with child by thee,
Not fitting for the war, my love, in High Germany.
O Polly love, O Polly love, I love you very well,
There are few in any place, my Polly can excel.
And when your baby's born, love,
and sits smiling on your knee,
You will think on your Billy that's in High Germany.
Cursed be the cruel wars, that ever they began,
For they have pressed my Billy, and many a clever man,
For they have pressed my Billy and all my brothers three,
And sent them to the cruel wars in High Germany.