Patriotic Music: Cruel War

America is a tune. It must be sung together. ~Gerald Stanley Lee, Crowds

Cruel War

Lyrics - Version 1
The cruel war is raging
Johnny has to fight
I want to be with him
From morning till night

I'm counting the minutes
The hours and the days,
Oh Lord, stop the cruel war,
For this, my heart prays.

I made my decision,
I will join up too,
Oh Johnny, dear Johnny,
I'll soon be with you.

We women are fighters,
We can help you win,
Oh Johnny, I'm hoping,
That they'll take me in.

Repeat first verse


Lyrics - Version 2
The cruel war is raging
Johnny has to fight
I want to be with him
From morning till night

Oh Johhny, dear Johnny,
Morning, noon and night,
I think of you marching,
Left, right, left and right

I know you're so gentle
When you hold me tight,
Oh how will they make you
Get out there and fight?

Go speak to your sergeant,
And say you want out,
Just say you're allergic
To this kind of bout.

Oh Johnny, dear Johnny,
Yes, I know you're brave,
But oh how I miss you,
It's your love I crave.

Oh why did the army
Take you from my side,
To go into battle,
Away from your bride.

About This Music

I first heard The Cruel War on a Peter, Paul and Mary album. My source traces it back to the American Civil War, but it's likely based on an older English tune.