Thanks so much, Bob. I've long suspected the connection between the refrains in some of the Civil War "Johnny" parodies and "skiboo, skiboo." The "Three German Officers" texts are very often sung to the "Johnny" tune, making me wonder whether that was the original, with the tune of "Hinky Dinky," in the major, coming as a later development. (Your own example suggests this is true!)

I had *not* imagined that "skeugaugh" could come from "usquebaugh," but, by cracky, that sounds to me like more than just a wild guess. Particularly when recalling that another refrain of "Johnny Fill up the Bowl" went "For bowls ! For bowls !" apparently a call for more to drink, which is presumably where "Usquebaugh !" (misheard as "skeebaw !" etc.) fits in. (The reported use of the refrain "For balls ! For balls !" (i.e., "For nothing !") in one "Johnny" parody, might well have encouraged the creation of new, thoroughly bawdy texts. Not that much encouragement was required.

So many Irish (and German)immigrants fought in the Civil War that these various cultural connections suggest a strong Civil War influence on what became the quintessential soldier song of the Great War.

All very interesting, IMO.