When Johnny comes marching home

Abstract

Patrick Gilmore’s ‘When Johnny Comes Marching Home’ is one of the best-known American Civil War songs. By addressing the return of a single soldier—Johnny—it promises those who enlist a glorious return and the appreciation of a grateful society. As a piece of propaganda, it has been remarkably resilient, outliving the conflict for which it was composed and even today is frequently performed by military marching bands within the United States. But the song contains a level of ambiguity which allows it to be reimagined. It is this ambiguity that has allowed it to evolve, and even whilst retaining its original meaning, it has become its own antithesis, decrying the indifference of society to the plight of the returning soldier and highlighting the cost of their sacrifice.