Johnny - The War is Raging
[Classified under Laws O33, "The Girl Volunteer," this song is known under various titles including "The Cruel War Is Raging" and "Johnny Must Fight." The song dates at least to the 1800s and the reference may be to the Revolutionary War, or and early war, since 100 guineas are offered for his release.
R. Matteson 2014]
JOHNNY
or
WON'T YOU LET ME GO WITH YOU
The war now is raging, and Johnny he must fight,
And I want to go with him from morning till night
I want to go with him it, grieves my heart so :
Won't you let me go with you?
'O no, my love, no!"
Sunday is coming but Monday is the day
Your Captain calls for you and you must obey;
Your Captain calls for you it grieves my heart so:
Won't you let me go with you?
O no, my love, no."
A-standing on picket some cold winter day,
Those red rosy cheeks they will soon fade away
Your red rosy cheeks is what grieves my heart so:
Won't you let me go with you?
"O no, my love, no!"
I'll go to your General, get down upon my knees,
Ono hundred bright guineas I'll give for your release
One hundred bright guineas- a kiss to you I owe?
Won't you let me go with you?
"O no, my love, no!"
Oh Johnny, my Johnny, I think you are unkind,
For I love you much bettor than all other mankind;
I love you much bettor than tongue can express;
Won't you let me go with you?
"O no, my love, no!"
I'll reach back my hair and men's clothes I'll put on,
And I'll pass as your comrade as we go marching along;
I'll pass as your comrade, and no one can guess ;
Won't you let me go with you?
"O no, my love, no!"
I'll reach back my hat and I'll put on men's clothes,
And I'll follow my Johnny wherever he goes :
I'll follow my Johnny, his troubles I will bless ,
Won't you let me go with you?
"O no, my love, no!"
Written from memory by a friend of W.H.C. Lassiter, under date of January 30, 1870. As sung by Mr. W. H. C . Lassiter, of Smithville, Tennessee, in June 1936. He was at that tlme 85 years old and said he had known the song ever since he could
remember. The above tune is copied from notation made as Mr. Lassiter sang it, is identical according to the memory of L.L.McDowell , with the song as sung by Mrs. Glenara McGiboney about 1900 near "the old camp Ground" White County, Tennessee.