John Lover’s Gone
Words, Johnny Whelan (1998); tune, trad. “Johnny’s
Gone to
War”
Formerly a fiddle tune called 'John
Lover's Gone' from
the playing of old-time banjo player, Wade Ward. Johnny Whelan, from
Somerset,
added wonderful words in a American Civil War setting.
Recorded by Kieron
Means
on “Run
Mountain”
“Johnny Whelan’s been a banjo player for thirty years,
initially influenced and inspired by Derroll Adams and Tom Paley. He
plays both
clawhammer and traditional finger picking styles. He
lives in Somerset, England, and currently performs with Buffalo Gals
old-time
string band. He wrote the words to accompany my recording of the
traditional
tune John Lover's Gone on my first album, Ain't No Grave . I learned
the
tune from Dwight Diller, and Wade Ward is commonly cited as an older
source for
the tune. Johnny thought that the tune sounded like it would have had a
song to
it, and that the song would be a lament.” (Kate Lissauer)
John Lover’s dead, That’s
what his mother said
John Lover’s dead, That’s
what his mother said
Chorus:
John Lover went to the war, John Lover’s gone
Yes John Lover went to the war, Johnny Lover’s gone
He died on another man’s
ground, Killed by a stranger’s round
As he walked on another man’s
land, He was killed by a stranger’s hand
He died on another man’s
ground, And that’s where his body was found
He died on another man’s
ground, Killed by a stranger’s round
Chorus
She walked away so slow,
She’s nothing left to show
She’s got no boy to grow
The crops in the ground with
the rain and sun
Cried John Lover’s gone
The crops in the ground with
the rain and sun
Cried John Lover’s gone (these
last four lines to the tune of the
chorus)
Now John Lover’s dead, And
she never held his head
John Lover’s dead, And she
never held his head
As he bled on the ground with
the rain and sun
Cried John Lover’s gone
As he bled on the ground with
the rain and sun
Cried John Lover’s gone (these
last four lines to the tune of the
chorus)
John Lover’s dead, That’s
what his mother said
John Lover’s dead, That’s
what his mother said
Chorus
Oh John, oh, Oh John oh.
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