Pyro_man 099 is correct in the origin of the song. However, if yo listen to the lyrics you will see they paint a different picture than Johnny being a simple victim of British imperialism. In the song Johnny joins the army to run away from his pregnant girlfriend: "Why did ye run from me and the child?" "Where are the legs with which ye run?"
Johnny, missing arms, legs, and eyes, is welcomed home by his former lover who calls him a coward ("spineless") and mocks his predicament ("you'll have to be put in a bowl to beg."). I don't think this is a happy homecoming and Johnny pays a heavy price for trying to escape his responsibilities.
The Dropkick Murphys also sing out against father's who abandon their children in "Walk Away."
Pyro_man 099 is correct in the origin of the song. However, if yo listen to the lyrics you will see they paint a different picture than Johnny being a simple victim of British imperialism. In the song Johnny joins the army to run away from his pregnant girlfriend: "Why did ye run from me and the child?" "Where are the legs with which ye run?"
Johnny, missing arms, legs, and eyes, is welcomed home by his former lover who calls him a coward ("spineless") and mocks his predicament ("you'll have to be put in a bowl to beg."). I don't think this is a happy homecoming and Johnny pays a heavy price for trying to escape his responsibilities.
The Dropkick Murphys also sing out against father's who abandon their children in "Walk Away."