American Songbook

#4 "When Johnny Comes Marching Home" Lyrics by Patrick Gilmore (pseudonym 'Louis Lambert'); Melody John J. Daly 1863

It was originally thought that this Civil War song came from an early Irish tune "Johnny I Hardly Knew Ye" but there is no evidence to the connection except that of a similar theme. Both Confederate and Union soldiers used the song with some variations. Patrick Gilmore's original version was intended to speak to the wish of his sister to have her husband, Capt. John O'Rourke return safely. Many new versions showed up in WW I with different troops. The British version was "When Tommy Comes Marching Home" and the French version was "Johnny Revient d'la Guerre". Many others have used this song, like Guns N' Roses ("Civil War", 1991) or in films such as "Gone With The Wind" (1939), "Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb" (1964) and "Die Hard With A Vengeance" (1995).

(Drum Version)

When Johnny comes marching home again
Hurrah! Hurrah!
We'll give him a hearty welcome then
Hurrah! Hurrah!
The men will cheer and the boys will shout
The ladies they will all turn out
And we'll all feel gay when Johnny comes marching home.

The old church bell will peal with joy
Hurrah! Hurrah!
To welcome home our darling boy,
Hurrah! Hurrah!
The village lads and lassies say
With roses they will strew the way,
And we'll all feel gay when Johnny comes marching home.

Get ready for the Jubilee,
Hurrah! Hurrah!
We'll give the hero three times three,
Hurrah! Hurrah!
The laurel wreath is ready now
To place upon his loyal brow
And we'll all feel gay when Johnny comes marching home.

Let love and friendship on that day,
Hurrah, hurrah!
Their choicest pleasures then display,
Hurrah, hurrah!
And let each one perform some part,
To fill with joy the warrior's heart,
And we'll all feel gay when Johnny comes marching home