Cruel War

Story Behind The Song

Song I have loved since I first heard Peter Paul and Mary sing this years ago

Song Description

Young woman wants to be with young man going off to war

Song Length 4:24 Genre World - Celtic, World - Celtic
Tempo Slow (71 - 90) Lead Vocal Female Vocal
Mood Moving, Beside Yourself Subject Lost Love, Sadness
Similar Artists Loreena McKennitt, Sarah Brightman Language English
Era 1800 - 1899

Lyrics

"The Cruel War"

The cruel war is raging, Johnny has to fight
I long to be with him from morning til night.
I want to be with him, it grieves my heart so,
Won't you let me come with you?
No my love, no

Tomorrow is Sunday, Monday is the day
that your Captain will call you and you most obey.
Your captain will call you it grieves my heart so,
Won't you let me come with you?
No my love, no

I'll tie back my hair, men's clothing I'll put on,
I'll pass as you comrade, as we march along.
I'll pass as your comrade, no one will ever know.
Won't you let me come with you?
No my love, no

Break

Oh Johnny, oh Johnny, I feel your are unkind
I love you far better than all of mankind.
I love you far better than words can e're express
Won't you let me come with you
Yes, my love, yes

They marched into battle, she never left his side
til a bulletshell struck her and love was denied.
A bulletshell struck her, tears came to Johnny's eyes
as he knelt down beside her,
she silently died.

The most delicate song that will be very useful in the cinema. Beautiful ethnic percussion, sweet guitar, flying ringing voice, good development of the arrangement. Loved the bridge with woodwind and banjo. Catchy melody.

great performance. good song.....

Very beautiful acoustic guitar sound. This song has everything, the scene was set before the singer ever appeared. I love all this instruments, harmonica, marching drums and piccolo, you don't hear piccolo enough these days. I love all the live instruments and your attention to details to embellish the story of the music, it certainly helps the mind imagine the scene. Fine job with this song, very strong arrangement and instrumentation. Fantastic!

very interesting beginning that suprises the listener.
beautiful vocal on this celtic folk track. the music is also exellent. very and subtle liked the slow march sound of the track, very nice

Lyrics Traditional Music Traditional
Producer Joe Podlesny Publisher Joe Podlesny
Performance Delta Burnett Reed/music arranger Joe Podlesny Label Avocet Studios
This track is on 2 Member Playlists
Playlist Creator Playlist Name Date Added
Sweet Harriet cool 11/17/2020
Ionut Mirel Udrea Best World Songs 3/22/2015

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