The Cruel War 1. The cruel war is raging and Johnny has to fight, I want to be with him from morning til night. I want to be with him, it grieves my heart so, Won't you let me go with you, No my love no. 2. I'll go to your Captain, get down upon my knees, Ten thousand gold guineas I'd give for your release; Ten thousand gold guineas, it grieves my heart so, Won't you let me come with you? No, my love, no. 3. Tomorrow is Sunday, and Monday is the day That your captain will call you and you must obey; Your captain will call you, it grieves my heart so, Won't you let me come with you? No, my love, no. 4. Your waist is too slender, your fingers are too small, Your cheeks are too rosy to face the cannonball; Your cheeks are too rosy, it grieves my heart so, Won't you let me come with you? No, my love, no. 5. Oh Johnny, oh Johnny, I feel you are unkind, For I love you far better than all of mankind; I love you far better than words can e'er express Won't you let me come with you? Yes, my love, yes. 6. I'll tie back my hair, men's clothing I'll put on. I'll pass for your comrade as we march along. I'll pass for your comrade, no one will ever guess Won't you let me come with you? Yes, my love, yes This song supposedly dates back to the Civil War, but it may come from an older British song, as the lyrics mention gunieas, an English coin minted from 1663 to 1816. Civil War era photos exist of women dressed in soldier's uniforms. There were allegedly 600 women who served in the army, disguised as men. Some versions of this song have a tragic ending where she is killed in battle.