Cruel Wars

A medley arrangement of two separate songs that deal with popular folk music tropes, popularized by Canadian "Ciderpunk" band The Dreadnoughts. Though uncredited by the Dreadnoughts, this song's unique arrangement comes from Jon Loomes, who combined Steeleye Span's "Fighting for Strangers" with The Dubliners' rendition of the traditional "High Germany."

The Longest Johns released an official music video of their version of the song on 24 March 2021.

Factoids[]

Steeleye Span's "Fighting for Strangers" is an original composition containing references to numerous traditional folk songs. The chorus (not included in this arrangement) borrows its lyrics from a line in Our Captain Cried All Hands. The "scarlet coat and a fine cocked hat" is a reference to Mrs. McGrath (a variant of My Son John). "The shilling he took and he kissed the book" refers to The King's Shilling. The repeated line "Johnny what'll happen to ya" quotes the melody of Johnny I Hardly Knew Ye, and the half verse beginning "But you haven't an arm" is nearly a direct quote of that song's lyrics. "Half a ring" refers to a trope common to several traditional songs where a departing soldier or sailor and his beloved break a ring in two and each take half, to be reunited upon his return. There are likely several other references in the piece; this list is not comprehensive.

"High Germany" is a traditional folk song which predates the 19th century; according to Cecil Sharp's One Hundred English Folk Songs, its earliest reference is 1780. There is significant debate over which war this song references, though the most likely candidates are the War of the Spanish Succession (1701-1714) or the Seven Years War (1756-1763).^[1]

Lyrics[]

These lyrics are based on the version performed by the Longest Johns in their livestreams, but mostly follow the arrangement performed by the Dreadnoughts (and originally John Loomes). The Dreadnoughts' lyrics can be found here.

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'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?

Well, they said he was a hero and not to grieve
For the two ruined legs and the empty sleeves
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 and 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'll happen to ya?

O Polly love, O Polly, the rout 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 curséd 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

Recordings[]

YouTube Videos[]

Full Band Streams[]

Chill Streams[]

Gaming Streams[]

↑ https://secondhandsongs.com/work/139987/all

[1] ttps://secondhandsongs.com/work/139987/all

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