What makes you go abroad for strangers When you could be safe at home free all dangers? A recruiting came our way To an Inn at the close of day He said young Johnny a fine young man Would you like to march along behind a band, With a scarlet and a big cocked hat, And a musket at shoulder, The shilling he and he kissed the book, Oh poor what will happen to ya? The recruiting marched away From the Inn at the break of day, Johnny too with half a ring He was off to be a he'd be fighting for the King In a far off war in a far off To a foreign soldier, But how you fare when there's lead in the air, Oh poor Johnny what'll to ya? What makes you go abroad for strangers When you be safe at home free from all dangers? The sun shone hot on a land As a thin red line a military stand, was sling shot, chain shot, grape shot too, Swords and thrusting through, Johnny fell but the day was won And the King is to you But your soldiering's and they're sending you home, Oh poor Johnny what they done to ya? They he was a hero and not to grieve two wooden pegs and empty sleeves, They carried him and set him down With a military and a medal from the crown. You an arm and you haven't a leg, The nearly slew you, have to go out on the streets to beg, Oh poor Johnny have they done to ya? makes you go abroad fighting for strangers When you could be safe at home free from all