5 Chords used in the song: Em, G, B7, D, C
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Transpose chords:
[Verse]
Em
A recruiting sergeant came our way
G
From an inn near town at the close of day
Em
He said my Johnny you're a fine young man
G
B7
Would you like to march along behind a military band
G
D
With a scarlet coat and a fine cocked hat
Em
B7
And a musket at your shoulder
Em
D
C
B7
The shilling he took and he kissed the book
Em
B7
Em
Oh poor Johnny what'll happen to ya?
Em
The recruiting sergeant marched away
G
From the Inn near town at the break of dayEm
Johnny came too with half a ring
G
B7
He was off to be a soldier to go fighting for the King
G
D
In a far off war in a far off land
Em
B7
To face the foreign soldier
Em
D
C
B7
But how will you fare when there's lead in the air
Em
B7
Em
Oh poor Johnny what'll happen to ya?
Em
Well the sun rose high on a barren land
G
Where the thin red line made a military stand
Em
There was sling shot, chain shot, grape shot tooG
B7
Swords and bayonets thrusting throughG
D
Poor Johnny fell but the day was won
Em
B7
And the King is grateful to ya
Em
D
C
B7
But your soldiering's done and they're sending you home
Em
B7
Em
Oh poor Johnny what'll happen to ya?
Em
They said he was a hero and not to grieve
G
For the two ruined legs and the empty sleeve
Em
They took him home and they set him down
G
B7
With a military pension and a medal from the crown
G
D
But you haven't an arm, you haven't a leg
Em
B7
The enemy nearly slew ya
Em
D
C
B7
You'll have to go out on the streets to beg
Em
B7
Em
Oh poor Johnny what'll happen to ya?
[Verse]
Em
A recruiting sergeant came our way
G
From an inn near town at the close of day
Em
He said my Johnny you're a fine young man
G
B7
Would you like to march along behind a military band
G
D
With a scarlet coat and a fine cocked hat
Em
B7
And a musket at your shoulder
Em
D
C
B7
The shilling he took and he kissed the book
Em
B7
Em
Oh poor Johnny what'll happen to ya?
Em
G
D
C
O Polly love, O Polly, the route has now begun
G
C
G
C
Em
And we must go a-marching to the beating of a drum
Come dress yourself all in your best and come along with me
Em
G
D
Em
I'll take you to the cruel wars in High Germany
Em
G
D
C
O Harry, dearest Harry, mind well what I do say
G
C
G
C
Em
My feet they are so tender and I cannot march away
Besides, my dearest Harry, I am with child by thee
Em
G
D
Em
Not fitted for the cruel wars in High Germany
Em
G
D
C
I'll buy you a horse, my love, and on it you shall ride
G
C
G
C
Em
And all of my delight shall be walking at your side
We'll stop at every alehouse and drink when we are dry
Em
G
D
Em
Be true to one another, get married by and by
Em
G
D
C
O cursed be the cruel wars, that ever they should rise
G
C
G
C
Em
And out of merry England, press many a man likewise
They took her Harry from her, likewise her brothers three
Em
G
D
Em
And sent them to the cruel wars in High Germany
X
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About this song: The Cruel Wars
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