Trisha Shetty (Editor)

Johnny Has Gone for a Soldier

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"Johnny Has Gone for a Soldier" is an English 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 we know what it meant its history is very mysterious and unknown. 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".

References

Johnny Has Gone for a Soldier Wikipedia