Johnny I Hardly Knew Ye Songtext
von Tommy Makem

I′m goin' the road to sweet Athy
Hoo-roo, hoo-roo
I′m goin' the road to sweet Athy
Hoo-roo, hoo-roo
I'm 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 guns and drums and drums and guns
Hoo-roo, hoo-roo
Your guns and drums and drums and guns
Hoo-roo, hoo-roo
Your guns and drums and drums and guns
The enemy nearly slew ye
And darlin′ dear, you look so queer
Johnny, I hardly knew ye


Where are the eyes that looked so mild?
Hoo-roo, hoo-roo
Where are the eyes that looked so mild?
Hoo-roo, hoo-roo
When my poor heart you first beguiled?
Why did you skeedaddle from me and the child?
Johnny, I hardly knew ye

Where are the legs with which ye run?
Hoo-roo, hoo-roo
Where are the legs with which ye run?
Hoo-roo, hoo-roo
Where are the legs with which ye run
When first you went to carry a gun?
Indeed, your dancin' days are done
Johnny, I hardly knew ye

Ye haven′t an arm, ye haven't a leg
Hoo-roo, hoo-roo
Ye haven′t an arm, ye haven't a leg
Hoo-roo, hoo-roo
Ye haven′t an arm and ye haven't a leg
You're an eyeless, boneless, chickenless egg
You′ll have to be put in a bowl to beg
Johnny, I hardly knew ye


I′m happy for to see you home
Hoo-roo, hoo-roo
I'm happy for to see you home
Hoo-roo, hoo-roo
I′m happy for to see you home
All from the islands of Ceylon
So low in the flesh, so high in the bone
Johnny, I hardly knew ye