Johnny we hardly knew ye

I came to know this dark 18th century anti-war anthem my Junior year of High School. It shared the melody of the later, glossed up, less antiwar American version "when Johnny comes marching home" but that was the end of the similarities. It was as if the American version intentionally ignored the exquisite expression of pain and loss of the Irish version, by ending each verse with the triumphant;"...and we'll all feel gay when Johnny comes marching home.

By contrast, a verse from the elder;

Where are your legs that used to run, hurroo, hurroo
Where are your legs that used to run, hurroo, hurroo
Where are your legs that used to run
When you went for to carry a gun
To be sure but your dancing days are done
Oh Johnny, I hardly knew ye.

Likewise, someone named John has lost his soul in the war on terror
and his family is trying to find were he has gone.