The lyrics to When Johnny Comes Marching Home look forward to the celebrations that will take place when soldiers fighting in the American Civil War return home. The tune is traditional.
When Johnny Comes Marching Home Again
The lyrics presented her are the original ones written in 1863 by American bandleader Patrick Gilmore, who used the penname of Louis Lambert.
Many singers now substitute new lines for “we’ll all feel gay” which has obviously changed its meaning since the song was first written.
For example, Dolly Parton changes the line to “And let the soldier have his day” on her recording on the album For God and Country. She uses different substitute lines in other verses, as do many other singers.
The chords are presented here in E Minor. Use our key converter to play the chords in other keys
When Johnny Comes Marching Home Again Lyrics and Chords
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[chordsandlyrics]
When [Em]Johnny comes marching home again
Hur[D]rah! Hurrah!
We’ll [Em]give him a hearty welcome then
Hur[G]rah! Hur[B7]rah!
The [G]men will cheer and the [D]boys will shout
The [C]ladies they will [B7]all turn out
And we’ll [Em]all [D]feel [C]gay
[B7]When [Em]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.
[/chordsandlyrics]
When Johnny Comes Marching Home Again
Lyrics and chords
