The men will cheer, the boys will shout.
The ladies they will all turn out
And we'll all feel gay
When Johnny comes marching home.
This vintage postcard is unused.
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The lyrics to "When Johnny Comes Marching Home" were written by Patrick Gilmore during the American Civil War. Its first sheet music publication was deposited in the Library of Congress on September 26, 1863, with words and music credited to Louis Lambert.
Gilmore is said to have written the song for his sister Annie as she prayed for the safe return of her fiancé, Union Light Artillery Captain John O'Rourke, from the Civil War. (As a side note, he did return safely.)
