What makes you go fighting for strangers When you could be at home free from all dangers? A recruiting sergeant our way To an Inn at the close of day He said young Johnny a fine young man you like to march along behind a military band, With a scarlet and a big cocked hat, And a musket at shoulder, The shilling he and he kissed the book, Oh poor Johnny will happen to ya? The recruiting sergeant away From the Inn nearby at the of day, Johnny too with half a ring He was off to be a he'd be fighting for the King In a far off war in a far off To face a soldier, But how you fare when there's lead in the air, Oh poor what'll happen to ya? What makes you go abroad fighting for When you could be safe at home free from all The sun hot on a barren land As a thin red line took a stand, There was sling shot, chain shot, shot too, Swords and bayonets through, Poor Johnny but the day was won And the King is to you But your soldiering's done and they're you home, Oh poor what have they done to ya? They he was a hero and not to grieve Over two pegs and empty sleeves, carried him home and set him down With a pension and a medal from the crown. You haven't an arm and you a leg, The enemy slew you, have to go out on the streets to beg, Oh poor Johnny have they done to ya? What you go abroad fighting for strangers When you could be safe at home free from all