Fred Darian - Johnny Willow Lyrics
Johnny Willow was a soldierIn the U.S. InfantryAnd they sent himOff to battle in 1943Now Johnny had a girl back homeHer name was Jenny MayAnd he made a solemn promiseThat he'd write to her each dayWas early Monday morningAnd the sun began to shineAnd Johnny thought he'd rest a whileAnd drop his girl a lineHe took his pen and began to writeMy dearest darling, MayAnd a shot rang out and he turned aroundAnd he heard somebody sayThe enemy's coming up the hillThere's a thousand if there's oneA meaner bunch you've never seenCome on, we better runBut Johnny jumped out to his feetHe held the letter tightCome on, you dog faced soldiersWe're gonna stay and fightWell, he dropped his penAnd he grabbed his gunAnd he said, I'll show youHow to get them on the runThen he started in a-runningAnd a-shooting down the hillCome on, you men, just fire at willI'm gonna keep the promiseThat I made to Jenny MayYou can bet I'll finish this letterAnd I'll finish it todayWell, the bullets were a-comingFrom as far as you could seeThe hill was alive with the chargingBut Johnny kept a-shootingA a-yelling just the sameThe more he kept a-shootingWell, the more and more they cameThen he looked down at the letterStill held in his handAnd he said, we won't move back an inchWe're gonna make a standWell, he looked aroundAnd his heart did poundWhen he saw his regiment holding groundOld Glory was a-flyingAnd a-waving in the breezeAin't never been an enemyTo bring her to her kneesAnd we ain't gonna let it happenNot now or ever moreBesides, I got a letter to writeAnd mail it out by fourWell, the cannon was a-boomingAnd the mortars were a-zoomingAnd it looked the 4th of JulyAnd the hillwas a-burningBut the battle was turningCause I heard Johnny yellIt's do or dieNow the regiment stepped forwardSome hung their heads to prayThen Johnny held his gun up highAnd the charge was on it's wayWell, they ran down the hillJust a-shooting and a-yellingAnd mowing down the enemyAs fast as I'm a-tellingLike a river over rapidsJust a-flowing and a-goingWhile a drummer was a-drummingAnd a bugle was a-blowingTil the enemy was defeatedAnd they ran with all their mightFrom the brave young menWith a letter in his handAnd a carbine in his rightWell, Johnny is a heroJohnny is a heroThe regiment did claimCause he led the wayAnd he saved the dayAnd he won for him, this fameOf a soldier without equalIn the U.S. InfantryAnd it's men like Johnny WillowThat keep our country free
