Old Man Luedecke left the big old city of Toronto, met a girl in the Yukon, fell in love, bought a banjo and fell in love again. After a couple of years of love and banjo and the makings of a brilliant performing career in sunny Halifax, he returned to the Yukon with his sweethearts. There he woodshedded. He wrote a ton of songs over the next year and a half. He held regular gigs playing banjo in a gambling hall with can-can girls and in a honky tonk called the Snakepit accompanying piano barnacle Bob. Even made an appearance at the Dawson City Music Festival. After a time, he left again for Halifax to renew musical acquaintances and record his debut CD Mole in the Ground. That CD has become a smash on college radio, was featured on CBC's Atlantic Airwaves and is a hot item in stores and at shows. He continues to live in Halifax and perform there and around the country to ever-wider acclaims. His stage show blends hokum and inspiration into powerful and fun entertainment that will delight young and old. He's still sweet on the girl he met up there in Yukon, and the banjo
http://www.oldmanluedecke.ca
Johnny Has Gone for a Soldier
Old Man Luedecke Lyrics
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Here I sit and cry my fill
And my tears could turn a mill
Johnny has gone for a soldier
Shule, shule, shule agra
Me oh my I love him so
Only time can heal my woe
I'll pawn my rod, I'll pawn my reel
To buy my love a sword and shield
When he lies murdered on the field
Johnny has gone for a soldier
Shule, shule, shule agra
Me oh my I love him so
Only time can heal my woe
Johnny has gone for a soldier
Well here I sit on Buttermilk hill
Here I sit and cry my fill
And my tears could turn a mill
Johnny has gone for a soldier
Shule, shule, shule agra
Me oh my I love him so
Only time can heal my woe
Johnny has gone for a soldier
The lyrics to Old Man Luedecke's song "Johnny Has Gone for a Soldier" express the deep emotions of someone who has lost a loved one to war. The singer is sitting on Buttermilk Hill, a place where she is able to cry her fill as she mourns the loss of Johnny, who has gone to fight as a soldier. Her tears are so plentiful that they could turn a mill, underscoring the intensity of her grief. She sings "Shule, shule, shule agra," an Irish lullaby, which implies a sense of comfort and a longing to be with Johnny again.
The singer pawns her rod and reel in order to buy Johnny a sword and shield for the battlefield. She is willing to sacrifice all she has to ensure his safety. However, the last line of the verse suggests that even this may not be enough to protect him. She worries that he will be killed on the field of battle, and she will be left alone to mourn for him. The repetition of the chorus emphasizes the depth of her love, and her realization that only time can help to heal her heart.
Overall, this song conveys the pain and sorrow felt by those left behind when their loved ones go off to war. It speaks to the universal themes of loss and grief, and the power of love to endure even in the face of separation and tragedy.
Line by Line Meaning
Well here I sit on Buttermilk hill
I am sitting on a hill called Buttermilk and feeling sad.
Here I sit and cry my fill
I am crying a lot because I miss Johnny so much.
And my tears could turn a mill
I am crying so much that I could fill up an entire mill with my tears.
Johnny has gone for a soldier
Johnny has left to become a soldier.
Shule, shule, shule agra
I am singing a lullaby to myself.
Me oh my I love him so
I love Johnny very much and am sad that he is gone.
Only time can heal my woe
I know that only time can make me feel better.
I'll pawn my rod, I'll pawn my reel
I am willing to sell my fishing equipment to buy Johnny a sword and shield to protect himself.
To buy my love a sword and shield
I want to buy Johnny something that will keep him safe during his time as a soldier.
When he lies murdered on the field
I am afraid that Johnny will be killed while fighting in the war.
Contributed by Gabriella S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.