Recruiting sergeant

Chorus:
What made you go to war
Fighting for strangers
When you could be safe at home
Free from all dangers

The recruiting sergeant marched our way
To the inn nearby at the close of day
He said young johnny, your a fine young man
Would you like to march along behind a military band
With scarlet coat, a big black hat and a musket at your should
A shilling he took
And he kissed the book
Oh, poor johnny what'll happen to you.

The recruiting sergeant marched away
From the inn nearby at the break of day
Johnny went too with half a ring
He was off to be a soldier, he'd be fighting for the king
In a far off war, in a far off land, to face a foreign soldier,
But how will you fare
When there's lead in the air,
Oh, poor johnny what'll happen to you.

Chorus

The sun shone high on a barren land,
As the thin red line took a military stand
There was sling shot, grape shot, chain shot, too
Swords and bayonets thrusting through,
Poor johnny fell, but the day was won and the king is grateful! To you
But your soldiering's done
And were sending you home
Oh poor johnny what have they done to your.

They said he was a hero and not to grieve
Over two wooden legs and an empty sleeve
They carried him home and they sat him down
With a military pension and medal from the crown
You haven't an arm, you haven't a leg,
The enemy nearly slew you
You'll have to go out on the streets to beg,
Oh, poor johnny what have they done to you

Chorus

Ripped off - steeleye span