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