"When Johnny Comes Marching Home Again"
“When Johnny Comes Marching Home” was written in 1863 by Patrick Gilmore, who was a bandmaster during the Civil War for the 22 regiment. Gilmore published this musical work under the name Louis Lambert and it quickly became popular for the general public of both the North and South. The song describes the reaction that the people will have when “Johnny,” who is a character representing any soldier during this time, finally comes home from war. This song served as a light-hearted and hopeful tune for families to sing while their loved ones were away at war. The lyrics are matching to the musical accompaniment of a march, which sounds militaristic and patriotic. This serves as a subconscious reminder for why “Johnny” is away from home and provides a sense of honor and pride for the families to have at his service for his country. Music such as this is meant to "give an air of normality to what is essentially an abnormal social condition," (Stone 553). As Stone (1941) explains in his journal article discussing the psychology related to war music, "patriotic music may be a medium through which war may be explained or encouraged," (553). Although "When Johnny Comes Marching Home," is acknowledging the idea of death caused by war, it is still promoting the idea of being a soldier and celebrating your return home after a victorious war.
When Johnny comes marching home again,
Hurrah! Hurrah!
We'll give him a hearty welcome then
Hurrah! Hurrah!
The men will cheer and the boys will shout
The ladies they will all turn out
And we'll all feel gay when Johnny comes marching home.
The old church bell will peal with joy
Hurrah! Hurrah!
To welcome home our darling boy,
Hurrah! Hurrah!
The village lads and lassies say
With roses they will strew the way,
And we'll all feel gay when Johnny comes marching home.
Get ready for the Jubilee,
Hurrah! Hurrah!
We'll give the hero three times three,
Hurrah! Hurrah!
The laurel wreath is ready now
To place upon his loyal brow
And we'll all feel gay when Johnny comes marching home.
Let love and friendship on that day,
Hurrah, hurrah!
Their choicest pleasures then display,
Hurrah, hurrah!
And let each one perform some part,
To fill with joy the warrior's heart,
And we'll all feel gay when Johnny comes marching home
Hurrah! Hurrah!
We'll give him a hearty welcome then
Hurrah! Hurrah!
The men will cheer and the boys will shout
The ladies they will all turn out
And we'll all feel gay when Johnny comes marching home.
The old church bell will peal with joy
Hurrah! Hurrah!
To welcome home our darling boy,
Hurrah! Hurrah!
The village lads and lassies say
With roses they will strew the way,
And we'll all feel gay when Johnny comes marching home.
Get ready for the Jubilee,
Hurrah! Hurrah!
We'll give the hero three times three,
Hurrah! Hurrah!
The laurel wreath is ready now
To place upon his loyal brow
And we'll all feel gay when Johnny comes marching home.
Let love and friendship on that day,
Hurrah, hurrah!
Their choicest pleasures then display,
Hurrah, hurrah!
And let each one perform some part,
To fill with joy the warrior's heart,
And we'll all feel gay when Johnny comes marching home