[Verse]
Oh I wish I were on yonder hill
It's there I'd sit and cry my fill
'Til every tear would turn a mill
My Johnny's gone for a soldier
Well, Johnny, my love, he went away
He would not heed what I did say
He won't be back for many's a day
My Johnny's gone for a soldier
[Chorus]
Shule, shule, shule a gra
Oh shule, oh shule and he loves me
When he comes back, he will marry me
My Johnny, he has gone for a soldier
[Verse]
I'll sell my rack, I'll sell my reel
I'll sell my only spinning wheel
And buy my love a sword of steel
My Johnny's gone for a soldier
I'll dye my petticoat, I'll dye it red
Around the world I'll bake my bread
'Til I find my love alive or dead
My Johnny, he has gone for a soldier
Johnny's Gone For A Soldier James Taylor
There she sits on Buttermilk Hill
Oh, who could blame her cryin' her fill
Every tear would turn a mill
Jonny has gone for a soldier
Me-oh-my she loved him so
It broke her heart just to see him go
Only time will heal her woe
Johnny has gone for a soldier
She sold her rock and she sold her reel
She sold her only spinning wheel
To buy her love a sword of steel
Johnny has gone for a soldier
She'll dye her dress, she'll dye it red
And in the streets go begging for bread
The one she loves from her has fled
Johnny has gone for a soldier
Johnny has gone for a soldier...
James Taylor - Johnny Has Gone for a Soldier
CAPO: 2nd Fret
INTRO: C Bm C G Bm C G Em G C D Em
Bm C G
There she sits on Buttermilk Hill
Bm C G
Oh, who could blame her crying her fill
Em G C
Every tear would turn a mill
D Em C D Em
Johnny has gone for a soldier
Bm C G
Me-oh-my she loved him so
Bm C G
It broke her heart just to see him go
Em G C
Only time will heal her woe
D Em
Johnny has gone for a soldier
INSTRUMENTAL: C Bm C G Bm C G Em G C D Em
N.C. Em Bm C G
She sold her rod and she sold her reel
Bm C G
She sold her only spinning wheel
Em G C
To buy her love a sword of steel
D Em
Johnny has gone for a soldier
Bm C G
She'll dye her dress, she'll dye it red
Bm C G
And in the streets go begging for bread
Em G C
The one she loves, from her has fled
D Em
Johnny has gone for a soldier
OUTRO: Bm C G Bm C G Em G C
D Em
Johnny has gone for a soldier
"Johnny Has Gone for a Soldier" is an Irish folk song. The lyrics lament the sacrifices that men and women make in going off to war. Men would help by going off to war and women would help by sacrificing men and selling goods to buy military supplies. This folk song was popular throughout the American Revolutionary War. Although its meaning is known, its history is not. Peter, Paul, and Mary used the first and third verses of the song in the arranged song "Gone the Rainbow" from their second album Moving (1963).
Origins
The tune and lyrics are very similar to the 17th century Irish tune "Siúil A Rún" on which the song is based.
Other versions
American folk singer-songwriter Pete Seeger did a cover version available on his album American Favorite Ballads, Vol. 4.
The gothic rock band Mors Syphilitica did a version for their album Primrose (1998) performed by Lisa Hammer.
American singer-songwriter and guitarist James Taylor and American violinist Mark O'Connor collaborated on a version together on the album "Heartland: An Appalachian Anthology" and was played at the end of each episode of the PBS series "Liberty! The American Revolution".
Canadian singer-songwriter Old Man Luedecke recorded a version of the song for his album Proof of Love
In popular culture
The song is heard several times in Ken Burns's 1989 documentary film The Civil War. It is performed by pianist Jacqueline Schwab and recorder player Jesse Carr.
The tune is also sung by actor John Tams' character Hagman in the 1995 TV movie Sharpe's Battle.