5. The Cruel War

Trad., adapted & arranged by Robin Greenstein

Guitar, Vocals - Robin
Vocal - Stuart Marcus
Bass - Barry Weisenfeld
Fiddle - Dan Collins
Percussion - Cheryl Prashkar

This lyric song supposedly dates back to the Civil War (see the photo in the insert), but others claim that it is fact much older, perhaps dating to the Revolutionary War. Civil War era photos exist of women dressed in soldier's uniforms. There were allegedly 600 women who served in the army, disguised as men. Some versions of this song have a tragic ending when she is killed in battle

The Cruel War

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

Tomorrow is Sunday, and Monday is the day
That your captain will call you and you must 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 go to your Captain, go down upon my knees
Ten thousand gold guineas I'd give for your release
Ten thousand gold guineas, it grieves my heart so
Won't you let me come with you? No, my love, no.

Your waist is too slender, your fingers are too small
Your is too to the cannonball
Your waist is too slender, it grieves my heart so
Won't you let me come with you? No, my love, no.

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

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