Anti-War Medal/Johnny We Hardly Knew Ye

2007

Reprinted from All Things Metal Clay: My anti-war medal was in the Anti-War Medal Show at Gallery I/O in New Orleans. It says, “All Gave Some.”

The title of the piece is “Why Johnny I Hardly Knew Ye,” a reference to the Civil War Era Song. The sheet music I have of it calls it an Irish folk song and it was arranged by Alice Parker.

Here are a few lines:

“When goin’ the road to sweet Athy, Huroo! Huroo!
When goin’ the road to sweet Athy, Huroo! Huroo!
When goin’ the road to sweet Athy, a stick in my hand and drop in my eye, a doleful damsel I heard cry: Johnny, I hardly knew ye.

With your drums and guns and guns and drums, Huroo! Huroo!
With your drums and guns and guns and drums, Huroo! Huroo!
With your drums and guns and guns and drums, the enemy nearly slew ye”

Hearing it in a choral performance is amazing, it’s a powerful and haunting song.

Materials: Precious Metal Clay (fine silver), fine silver mesh and black ribbon.