When Johnny Comes Marching Home

Midi (Bb120)    Midi 2(Bb170)    Midi 3(Bb100)   Midi 4(G120)
Solo on Harp (Richard Hunter?)
Tabbed by Mark Purintun from "G" in 6/8 time
For Diatonic harmonica
This is generally credited to the Union Army bandmaster, Patrick S. Gilmore, who wrote it in 1863. It is similar to the Irish song Johnny I Hardly Knew Ye (a tale of a maimed soldier returning from war). Which version came first is debated.

 

 

 


 -6    5 -6   -6   -6  -7    7 -7  7    -6  6   5  6
When Johnny comes marching home again, Hurrah! Hurrah!
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We'll give him a hearty welcome then, Hurrah! Hurrah!
7 -8 8    8    8    -8  7   -8   -8    -8    -7  7  7  7 -7  -6   -7  -7   -7 
The men will cheer and the boys will shout. The ladies they will all turn out.
 7    -8   8   -8   7    -7    5 -6   -6    -6  6   -6
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,
 7    -8   8   -8   7    -7    5 -6   -6    -6  6   -6
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
 7    -8   8   -8   7    -7    5 -6   -6    -6  6   -6
And we'll all feel gay when Johnny comes marching home.

 

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From June 30, 2006