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When Johnny Comes Marching Home Lyrics

Lyrics & Music by Patrick Gilmore (1863)

When Johnny comes marching home again, 
Hurrah! Hurrah! 
We'll give him a hearty welcome then, 
Hurrah! Hurrah! 
The men will cheer, the boys will shout, 
The ladies they will all turn out, 
And we'll all feel gay 
When Johnny comes marching home.

The old church bell will peal with joy, 
Hurrah! Hurrah! 
To welcome home our darling boy, 
Hurrah! Hurrah! 
The village lads and lassies say, 
With roses they will strew the way, 
And we'll all feel gay 
When Johnny comes marching home.

Get ready for the Jubilee, 
Hurrah! Hurrah! 
We'll give the hero three times three, 
Hurrah! Hurrah! 
The laurel wreath is ready now, 
To place upon his loyal brow, 
And we'll all feel gay 
When Johnny comes marching home.

Let love and friendship on that day, 
Hurrah! Hurrah! 
Their choicest pleasures then display, 
Hurrah! Hurrah! 
And let each one perform some part, 
To fill with joy the warrior's heart, 
And we'll all feel gay 
When Johnny comes marching home

 

Source: Library of Congress.

Note: Patrick Gilmore was an Irish immigrant from Boston who enlisted in the Union Army during the Civil War. The song was even more popular in the Spanish American War of 1898.

   
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