Since the turn of the century, the Musical Blades have been transporting patrons into their hilarious world of witty dialog, and original maritime songs.
It began as a discussion between two piratical peers, over ales and grog, to find the perfect combination of  music and comedy. And now, five distinct personalities, five aesthetic inputs, five pirates with WAY too much time on their hands have worked together to create an original experience in pirate entertainment!
And who are these five pirates? Glad you asked.
The Crew:
· Captain Patch: Albert Hall is a veteran of the sound stage and studio and has performed in venues throughout the Midwest for over 20 years. Albert is the originator and began the Musical Blades show Fall 2000 and is the writer of many of the Musical Blades songs and material.
· Cutthroat Cookie: Jason Longberg has done work on both stage and television and has been doing medieval reenactment for over 12 years. He became a pirate winter 2005. Besides helping out with the comedic writing Jason has become our quintessential bad boy.
· Chuey: David Levin is a strong member of the group. David has more than pulled his own weight helping with impromptu situations, and comedic and musical writing. David's strong voice and chaotic demeanor add much depth to the group. David's other entertainment obligations have included a comedy/sword fight show and being the host of pub sing sy KCRF and STLRF.
· Salty Peter Johnson: George Hunt. The guitarist of the Musical Blades. A published songwriter (BMI) and recording engineer. (Cypher Sound, KC). He tells us he’s very talented! He seems to like telling us how talented he is… George is truly a breath of fresh air, he has rhythmically taken us the direction we longed for. He answered an ad saying "I RRR a Pirate!", and says he "wants to be the ships parrot".... (What?) A very talented song writer, George became a 'Blade' spring 2008.
· Cheeks: Ed Miller may be the worlds shortest pirate (he's a Micro Pirate!). Ed has been performing music for many years, both at faires/conventions and in more traditional band situations. In addition to being the groups newest tenor, Ed plays multiple instruments and is also versed in stage combat. Ed rocks... no, really... well he's not as good as Salty Pete but then again... who is? Recruited to the Blades January 2009.
Light the red lamps!:
With their experience performing at events, on the faire circuit, and in pubs, the Musical Blades offer a variety of music. Original and traditional material; upbeat shanties, hard hitting ballads, comedic stage songs and antics, and tear jerking closers. So tap an extra keg of rum and light the red lamps cause with fair winds, the Musical Blades and their piratical nonsense will be there soon!
Johnny I Hardly Knew Ya
Musical Blades Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Hurroo Hurroo
When on the road to sweet Athy,
Hurroo Hurroo
When on the road to sweet Athy
A stick in the hand, A drop in the eye
A doleful damsel I heard cry
Johnny I hardly knew ya
Where are the eyes that looked so mild,
Hurroo Hurroo
Where are the eyes that looked so mild,
Hurroo Hurroo
Where are the eyes that looked so mild
When my poor heart you first beguiled
Why did ya run from me and the child
Johnny I hardly knew ya
We had guns and drums and drums and guns,
Hurroo Hurroo
We had guns and drums and drums and guns,
Hurroo Hurroo
We had guns and drums and drums and guns
The enemy never slew ya
Johnny I hardly knew ya
Where are the legs with which you run,
Hurroo Hurroo
Where are the legs with which you run,
Hurroo Hurroo
Where are the legs with which you run,
When first you went to carry a gun
Indeed your dancing days are done
Johnny I hardly knew ya
You haven't an arm, you haven't a leg,
Hurroo Hurroo
You haven't an arm, you haven't a leg,
Hurroo Hurroo
You hadn't an arm, you hadn't a leg
You're a armless, boneless, chickenless egg
You'll have to be put with the bowl to beg
Johnny I hardly knew ya
I'm happy for to see ya home,
Hurroo Hurroo
I'm happy for to see ya home,
Hurroo Hurroo
I'm happy for to see ya home
From the isle of Ceylon
Johnny I hardly knew ya
The song "Johnny I Hardly Knew Ya" by Musical Blades is a traditional Irish anti-war song. The lyrics tell the story of a man named Johnny who goes off to fight in a war and comes back severely injured. The first verse describes a woman hearing Johnny's cries as he approaches with a stick in hand and a drop in his eye, which implies that he is injured and possibly drunk. The second verse asks where the eyes and legs that once looked so mild and allowed him to run were. This verse suggests that Johnny was once able-bodied and confident, but has now been severely injured. The third and fourth verses mention the guns and drums that Johnny was a part of, implying that he fought in a war. The final verse speaks of Johnny's return home to the isle of Ceylon, where the singer expresses happiness at seeing him again.
Line by Line Meaning
When on the road to sweet Athy, Hurroo Hurroo
As I was heading towards Athy, a town in County Kildare, I sang 'Hurroo Hurroo' in celebration.
A stick in the hand, A drop in the eye, A doleful damsel I heard cry, Johnny I hardly knew ya
As I was on my way, I saw a girl crying with a stick in hand and a drop in her eye, yelling Johnny's name whom she barely recognized anymore.
Where are the eyes that looked so mild, Hurroo Hurroo, Where are the eyes that looked so mild, Hurroo Hurroo, Where are the eyes that looked so mild When my poor heart you first beguiled Why did ya run from me and the child Johnny I hardly knew ya
Johnny, I'm questioning where the mild and loving eyes that first led me to love you are, as you scorned me and abandoned me and our child
We had guns and drums and drums and guns, Hurroo Hurroo, We had guns and drums and drums and guns, Hurroo Hurroo, We had guns and drums and drums and guns The enemy never slew ya Johnny I hardly knew ya
We were once soldiers fighting for our rights with guns and drums, but despite being in such a combat-laden atmosphere, Johnny, you never got killed. It's strange because I barely recognize the person you've become.
Where are the legs with which you run, Hurroo Hurroo, Where are the legs with which you run, Hurroo Hurroo, Where are the legs with which you run, When first you went to carry a gun Indeed your dancing days are done Johnny I hardly knew ya
Where are your legs which helped you run faster than any man when you went to carry a gun first? You were so active and lively but now it seems you have lost it all.
You haven't an arm, you haven't a leg, Hurroo Hurroo, You haven't an arm, you haven't a leg, Hurroo Hurroo, You hadn't an arm, you hadn't a leg You're a armless, boneless, chickenless egg You'll have to be put with the bowl to beg Johnny I hardly knew ya
You have lost your arms and legs to the war you fought in, Johnny. You can't fend for yourself anymore and you've become a helpless, limbless human. You have no ability to do anything besides beg for help anymore.
I'm happy for to see ya home, Hurroo Hurroo, I'm happy for to see ya home, Hurroo Hurroo, I'm happy for to see ya home From the isle of Ceylon Johnny I hardly knew ya
I'm glad that you're finally home, where you belong, Johnny. But, it took a long time for you to return, from a place as far as Ceylon, and you have changed beyond recognition.
Contributed by Alexander W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.