[Verse 1]
When goin' the road to sweet Athy, hurroo, hurroo
When goin' the road to sweet Athy, hurroo, hurroo
When goin' the road to sweet Athy
A stick in me hand and a drop in me eye
A doleful damsel I heard cry:
"Johnny I hardly knew ye"

[Chorus]
With your drums and guns and guns and drums, hurroo, hurroo
With your drums and guns and guns and drums, hurroo, hurroo
With your drums and guns and guns and drums
The enemy nearly slew ye
Oh darling dear, ye look so queer
Johnny I hardly knew ye

[Verse 2]
Where are the eyes that looked so mild? Hurroo, hurroo
Where are the eyes that looked so mild? Hurroo, hurroo
Where are the eyes that looked so mild
When my poor heart you first beguiled?
Why did ye run from me and the child?
Oh Johnny, I hardly knew ye

[Chorus]
With your drums and guns and guns and drums, hurroo, hurroo
With your drums and guns and guns and drums, hurroo, hurroo
With your drums and guns and guns and drums
The enemy nearly slew ye
Oh darling dear, ye look so queer
Johnny I hardly knew ye
[Verse 3]
Where are the legs with which you run? Hurroo, hurroo
Where are the legs with which you run? Hurroo, hurroo
Where are the legs with which you run
When first you went to carry a gun?
Indeed, your dancing days are done
Oh Johnny, I hardly knew ye

[Chorus]
With your drums and guns and guns and drums, hurroo, hurroo
With your drums and guns and guns and drums, hurroo, hurroo
With your drums and guns and guns and drums
The enemy nearly slew ye
Oh darling dear, ye look so queer
Johnny I hardly knew ye

[Verse 4]
Ye haven't an arm, ye haven't a leg, hurroo, hurroo
Ye haven't an arm, ye haven't a leg, hurroo, hurroo
Ye haven't an arm, ye haven't a leg
Ye're an armless, boneless, chickenless egg
You'll have to be left with a bowl to beg
Oh Johnny I hardly knew ye

[Chorus]
With your drums and guns and guns and drums, hurroo, hurroo
With your drums and guns and guns and drums, hurroo, hurroo
With your drums and guns and guns and drums
The enemy nearly slew ye
Oh darling dear, ye look so queer
Johnny I hardly knew ye
[Verse 5]
I'm happy for to see ye home, hurroo, hurroo
I'm happy for to see ye home, hurroo, hurroo
Oh, I'm happy for to see ye home
All from the island of Sulloon
So low in flesh, so high in bone
Oh Johnny I hardly knew ye

[Chorus]
With your drums and guns and guns and drums, hurroo, hurroo
With your drums and guns and guns and drums, hurroo, hurroo
With your drums and guns and guns and drums
The enemy never slew ye
Oh darling dear, ye look so queer
Johnny I hardly knew ye