<P> "Johnny Has Gone for a Soldier" is an English folk song . The lyrics lament the sacrifices that men and women make in going off to war . Men would help by going off to war and women would help by sacrificing men and selling goods to buy military supplies . This folk song was popular throughout the American Revolutionary War . Although we know what it meant its history is very mysterious and unknown . Peter, Paul and Mary used the first and third verses of the song in the arranged song "Gone the Rainbow" from their second album Moving (1963). </P> <P> The tune and lyrics are very similar to the 17th century Irish tune "Siúil A Rún". </P>

When was johnny has gone for a soldier written