From the recording Whisperings
I feel this song had two parallel journeys, one in Ireland and one in the US and this version reunites them for me as I personally am blending my Irish self with recently finding myself in the US.
Lyrics
Johnny has gone for a soldier (Siúl a rún)
Here I sit on Buttermilk Hill
Who can blame me, cryin' my fill
And ev'ry tear would turn a mill,
Johnny has gone for a soldier.
With Fife and drum he marched away
He would not heed what I did say
He’ll not be back for many’s a day
Johnny has gone for a soldier.
Siúil, siúil, siúil a rúin
Siúil go sochair agus siúil go ciúin
Siúil go doras agus éalaigh liom
Is go dté tú mo mhuirnín slán
I'll sell my flax and my spinning wheel
To buy my love a sword of steel,
So it in battle he might wield
Johnny has gone for a soldier.
I'll dye my dress, I'll dye it red,
And through the streets I'll beg for bread,
For the lad that I love from me has fled,
Johnny has gone for a soldier.
Siúil, siúil, siúil a rúin
Siúil go sochair agus siúil go ciúin
Siúil go doras agus éalaigh liom
Is go dté tú mo mhuirnín slán
Me, oh my, I loved him so,
Broke my heart to see him go,
And only time will heal my woe,
Johnny has gone for a soldier.
I wish I wish I wish in vain
I wish my heart would come home again
But alas my love in battle was slain
Johnny has gone for a soldier.
Siúil, siúil, siúil a rúin
Siúil go sochair agus siúil go ciúin
Siúil go doras agus éalaigh liom
Is go dté tú mo mhuirnín slán