Johns Song

 
      D                   D/F#            Gadd9 
I was working in Heuston Station, like my da and his before him 
D                   D/F#            Aadd11 
 Trying to pass the time before the bell 
       D               D/F#             Gadd9 
When a poor hand and a bad joke sent me down to the Phoenix Park 
D                  Aadd11     D 
 To join the Royal Dublin Fusiliers 
 

 
       Gadd9                                   D                Aadd11 
Do the boys still run down to see me when they hear the whistle blow? 
        Gadd9                           D             Aadd11 
Does my sister still resent me now that I must wear a rose? 
        Gadd9                      Bm7 
Well, I hope that this letter will find you in good health 
Aadd11                           D 
 With all my love, your fond son John 
 

 
         D                   D/F#         Gadd9 
Well, my da pulled into the station, so I went to meet him there 
            D                 D/F#             Aadd11 
Told him to thank you for the cigarettes and a cake 
          D               D/F#             Gadd9 
I was downhearted when he pulled out, and again I said goodbye 
      D                    Aadd11      D 
And I headed back with the old youghal road 
 

 
       Gadd9                                   D                Aadd11 
Do the boys still run down to see me when they hear the whistle blow? 
        Gadd9                           D             Aadd11 
Does my sister still resent me now that I must wear a rose? 
          Gadd9                           Bm7 
Well, I'm headed for northern France to a river they call the Somme 
Aadd11                           D 
 With all my love, your fond son John 


Instrumental: 
| 1 2 3 4 | 1 2 3 4 | 1 2 3 4 | 1 2 3 4 | 
|=========|=========|=========|=========| 
| D       | D/F#    | Gadd9   | Gadd9   | 

| 1 2 3 4 | 1 2 3 4 | 1 2 3 4 | 1 2 3 4 | 
|=========|=========|=========|=========| 
| D       | D/F#    | Aadd11  | Aadd11  | 

| 1 2 3 4 | 1 2 3 4 | 1 2 3 4 | 1 2 3 4 | 
|=========|=========|=========|=========| 
| D       | D/F#    | Gadd9   | Gadd9   | 

| 1 2 3 4 | 1 2 3 4 | 1 2 3 4 | 1 2 3 4 | 
|=========|=========|=========|=========| 
| D       | Aadd11  | D       | D       | 
 

 
      D               D/F#         Gadd9 
Oh my son, I got your letters, I'm glad that you are well 
  D              D/F#            Aadd11 
I miss you every night and every day 
      D                   D/F#      Gadd9 
And I wanted to send some money but times at home are hard 
        D               Aadd11             D 
It's so quiet along the Liffey without you here 
 

 
             Gadd9                                    D                Aadd11 
And yes, the boys still run down to see you when they hear the whistle blow 
         Gadd9                          D                 Aadd11 
And your sister did forgive you for she knows you did not go 
         Gadd9                Bm7 
Mind yourself a holy home and have your dinner alone 
Aadd11                      D 
 With all my love, fond son John 
 

 
D                   D/F#     Gadd9 
 John he never came home, he died at twenty-one 
D                       D/F#        Aadd11 
 They couldn't find his body in the mud 
              D               D/F#         Gadd9 
But there's a headstone up in Thiepval, inscribed as Private Gannon 
D                Aadd11        Gadd9   D/F#   Em7   D 
 Son of Hugh and Ellen of Inchicore