The Cruel Wars | The Longest Johns

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On the bright side: he couldn't sing shanties if he had two legs.

Guys will be like "I know a place" and then take you to the cruel wars in high Germany

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

Would love to hear these guys sing "Roll the old Chariot" together with David Coffin.

Now I'm not saying your music gave me confidence, but before I started listening to the Johns I never sang Infront of anyone.

The Dreadnoughts rowed so the Longest Johns could sail.

I am 70. I grew up on folk songs and sea chantys and it is a great joy to hear them done by a new generation, and you do them so beautifully.

I'd love to see a crossover between The Longest Johns and The Dreadnoughts.

The song that got me into shanties and folk music

The Longest Johns and The Dreadnoughts are such a credit to world culture for keeping these amazing historical songs alive!

I'm hoping this new sea shanty trend will lead to a folk music revival. People are starting to discover artists like Stan Rogers. Makes me smile.

It's really nice to see this doing the rounds again after all these years. Nicely done, lads :-)

This is the perfect song to yell at the top of your lungs in a pub with your mates!

Made a war veteran that was crippled for my dnd campaign, Used this song as a reference and i love it.

It’s been 4 years and we finally got it without background noise I’m hyped

Anyone else remember when they just started singing this at a restaurant

First: Amazing as always. I love this arrangement and the Longest Johns' performance of it. Second: Shout out for Dixit in Dave's background.

My grandfather who served in ww2 absolutely loves you guys

That transition into High Germany is just wonderful.