Johnny has Gone For a Soldier

I have always loved folk music for as long as I can remember. I also love history, especially the history of humanity, Thinking about it, its not too surprising the two are intimately connected.

I mainly work from home these days and when my concentration needs are not too great, the TV is on the background, usually the History Programme. Just caught the end of a programme on the American War of Independence - poor old Cornwallis being defeated at Yorktown!

But as the titles on the programme rolled there was a folk group (who are they??) playing "Johnny's Gone For a Soldier ":

Quick search on Google and I have the lyrics and a rendering of it ...

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.

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'll sell my rod, I'll sell my reel,
Likewise I'll sell my spinning wheel,
And buy my love a sword of steel,
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.