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