Johnny I Hardly Knew Ye
One of the most recognized of the Irish rebel songs. This was very popular during the Vietnam War. The quick chord changes on the last line of each section can present a challenge, but it becomes an easy pattern with a little practice.Am C G
While goin' the road to sweet Athye, hurroo, hurroo
Am C E7
While goin' the road to sweet Athye, hurroo, hurroo
Am G
While goin' the road to sweet Athye,
Am E7
A stick in me hand and a drop in me eye,
Am E7 Am E7 Am Em Am
A doleful damsel I heard cry, Johnny I hardly knew ye.Am C G
CHORUS: With your drums and guns and guns and drums, hurroo, hurroo
Am C E7
With your drums and guns and guns and drums, hurroo, hurroo
Am G
With your drums and guns and guns and drums,
Am E7
The enemy nearly slew ye
Am E7 Am E7 Am Em Am
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 skedaddle from me and the child, Oh Johnny, I hardly knew ye CHORUSWhere 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 CHORUSI'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 CHORUSYe 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 CHORUSThey'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 CHORUS
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