Johnny Come Lately
Johnny Come Lately: A Soldier's Journey and Love Amidst War
Lyrics
I'm an American, boys, and I've come a long way
I identify as an American and have traveled extensively.
I was born and bred in the USA
I was born and raised in the United States.
So listen up close, I've get something to say
Pay close attention because I have something important to communicate.
Boys, I'm buying this round
I am treating everyone to a drink.
Well it took a Iittke while but we're in this fight
We've invested time in this struggle.
And we ain't going home 'til we've done what's right
We're committed to staying until we've accomplished what's just.
We're gonna drink Camden Town dry tonight
We'll exhaust the resources available for revelry in Camden Town tonight.
If I have to spend my last pound
I'm willing to spend all my money if necessary.
When I first got to London it was pourin' down rain
When I arrived in London, it was raining heavily.
Met a Iittle girl in the field canteen
I met a young lady at the military canteen.
Painted her name on the nose of my plane
I inscribed her name on my plane's nose art.
Six more missions I'm gene
I have a few more missions to complete.
Well I asked if I could stay and she said that I might
I asked if I could remain with her, and she agreed.
Then the warden came around yelling ""turn out the lights""
There was an interruption when the warden instructed us to turn off the lights.
Death rainin' out of the London night
There was destruction and death raining down on London during the night.
We made love 'til dawn
We engaged in lovemaking until morning.
But when Johnny Come Lately comes marching home
When a person like me, a newcomer, returns home.
With a chest full of medals and a G.l. loan
With honors and financial assistance from the government.
They'll be waitin' at the station down in San Antone
People will be waiting at the station in San Antonio.
When Johnny comes marching home
To welcome me when I return.
MY P-47 is a pretty good ship
My P-47 aircraft is reliable.
And she took a round coming cross the Channel last trip
It sustained damage during the last trip across the Channel.
I was thinking 'bout my baby and letting her rip
I was thinking about my beloved and firing the aircraft's weapons.
Always got me through so far
My thoughts about my beloved have helped me so far.
Well they can ship me all over this great big world
I may travel extensively, but I'll never find someone like my girl from the North End.
But I'll never find nothing like my North End girl
I plan to take her home with me once the war is won.
I'm taking her home whh me one day, sir
As soon as the war concludes.
Soon as we win this war
(This line is blank and has no specified meaning.)
Now my granddaddy sang me this song
My grandfather passed on this song to me.
Told me about Londen when the Blitz was on
He recounted stories about London during the Blitz.
How he married Grandma and brought her back home
He married my grandmother and brought her back home as a respected figure.
A hero throughout his land
He was revered as a hero in his country.
Now I'm standing on a runway in San Diego
I find myself in San Diego on a runway.
A couple Purple Hearts and I move a little slow
Due to injuries (symbolized by Purple Hearts), I'm moving slower.
There's nobody here, maybe nobody knows
No one appears to be here, and perhaps no one is aware.
About a place called Vietnam
Refers to an unspecified place involving conflict (Vietnam).
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