Johnny, I Hardly Knew Ya

Dropkick Murphys * Track #14 On The Meanest of Times

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Johnny, I Hardly Knew Ya by Dropkick Murphys

Release Date

Tue Sep 18 2007

About

The Murphys cover an anti-war song first penned in 1860’s London for this track off of The Meanest of Times. It tells the tale of a man returning from war (Johnny) from the perspective of the woman he left back home when he departed.

The song is sung in the tune of When Johnny Comes Marching Home A...

Johnny, I Hardly Knew Ya Lyrics

[Intro]
While on the road to sweet Athy, hurroo hurroo
While on the road to sweet Athy, hurroo hurroo
While on the road to sweet Athy
A stick in the hand, a drop in the eye
A doleful damsel I did cry
Johnny I hardly knew ya

[Verse 1]
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

[Chorus]
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

[Verse 2]
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

[Chorus]
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

[Verse 3]
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 an eyeless, boneless, chickenless egg
You'll have to be put with the bowl to beg
Johnny I hardly knew ya

[Chorus]
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

[Bridge]
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

[Chorus]
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

Johnny, I Hardly Knew Ya Q&A

Who wrote Johnny, I Hardly Knew Ya's ?

Johnny, I Hardly Knew Ya was written by Dropkick Murphys & Traditional.

Who produced Johnny, I Hardly Knew Ya's ?

Johnny, I Hardly Knew Ya was produced by Dropkick Murphys.

When did Dropkick Murphys release Johnny, I Hardly Knew Ya?

Dropkick Murphys released Johnny, I Hardly Knew Ya on Tue Sep 18 2007.

What war does this song talk about?

It is likely not referring to a specific war, it refers to wars in general. It is stated that he came back from Ceylon, but no major conflict had taken place there since the conclusion of the Kandyan Wars.

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