What makes you go fighting for strangers When you be safe at home free from all dangers? A recruiting came our way To an Inn at the close of day He said young Johnny a fine young man Would you like to march along a military band, With a scarlet and a big cocked hat, And a musket at shoulder, The shilling he took and he the book, Oh Johnny what will happen to ya? The recruiting marched away the Inn nearby at the break 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 fare when there's in the air, Oh poor what'll happen to ya? What makes you go abroad fighting for When you could be safe at free from all dangers? The sun shone hot on a land As a thin red took a military stand, There was shot, chain shot, grape shot too, Swords and bayonets through, Poor fell but the day was won And the is grateful to you But your soldiering's and they're sending you home, Oh poor Johnny what have done to ya? They said he was a hero and not to two wooden pegs and empty sleeves, They carried him home and set him a military pension and a medal from the crown. You an arm and you haven't a leg, The nearly slew you, You'll have to go out on the to beg, Oh poor Johnny what have they to ya? makes you go abroad fighting for strangers When you be safe at home free from all dangers?