Lyr Req: No Tears for Jonny(Johnny)?

Subject: No Tears for Jonny(Johnny)?
From: Gracie
Date: 22 May 99 - 07:09 PM

I remember a song from somewhere in early '60's-Mom says about 1964. It was on a yellow or orange label 45 and it was called "No Tears for Jonny" Don't know artist,; she says could be Peter, Paul and Mary. Everly Bros., or some soft sounding singer. We had The Lemon Tree and Yesterday's Gone at the same time. I did find out PPM did the Lemon Tree, but not who did Yesterday's Gone/ It's not The Beatles' "Yesterday"' part of the words are "But that was yesterday, and yesterday's gone." This sone (NTFJ)was about the death of JFK part of words are No tears for Jonny, just because he had to die, he's gonna (live forever or live in Heaven). Sorry, but what can you remember from when you were 4-5 years old? Hope I wrote this message correctly. Seems like this should have been a folk song.Thanks!

Subject: RE: No Tears for Jonny(Johnny)?
From: Rick Fielding
Date: 22 May 99 - 10:55 PM

Don't know about "Johnny" but was "..Yesterday's Gone" by Chad and Jeremy or Peter and Gordon. Sorry I can't be more help, but I thought I'd bring this back for one more pass.
rick

Subject: RE: No Tears for Jonny(Johnny)?
From: Martin _Ryan
Date: 23 May 99 - 07:46 PM

No tears for Johnny, people don't you cry
No tears for Johnny - just because he's going to die
He's gonna be a hero,now til the end of time
So shed no tears for Johnny, marching in the long grey line

Guy called Ian Whitcomb recorded it many years ago - with Larry Adlers son Peter in the group, if I remember rightly. I used to have it on vinyl. If there was a version aboiut JFK it was presumably an adaptation of this one. I'll see if any more emerges from the black hole I call a memory.

Regards

Subject: RE: No Tears for Jonny(Johnny)?
From: Roger in Baltimore
Date: 23 May 99 - 08:05 PM

YESTERDAY'S GONE
Chad & Jeremy
(David Stuart / Wendy Kidd)

I loved you all the summer through
I thought I'd found my dream in you
For me you were the one
But that was yesterday and yesterday's gone

We walked together hand in hand
'cross miles and miles of golden sand
But now it's over and done
'cause that was yesterday and yesterday's gone

We had such happiness together
I can't believe it's gone forever

Wait 'til summer comes again
I hope that you'll remember when
Our love had just begun
I loved you yesterday and yesterday's gone

------ guitar solo ------

We had such happiness together
I can't believe it's gone forever

Wait 'til summer comes again
I hope that you'll remember when
Our love had just begun
I loved you yesterday and yesterday's gone
Yesterday's gone
Yesterday's gone
Yesterday's gone

'Taint folk, but we aim to please. If you need other "pop" lyrics the following site is extremely helpful, Top 40 Hits - 1938 - 1998.

Enjoy the music!

Roger in Baltimore

Subject: RE: No Tears for Jonny(Johnny)?
From: Roger in Baltimore
Date: 23 May 99 - 08:25 PM

I searched The International Lyrics Server, BMI, ASCAP, and SESAC sites and the DT for "No Tears For Johnny" with no result.

Any Mudcatters to rise to the challenge?

Roger in Baltimore

Subject: RE: No Tears for Jonny(Johnny)?
From: Martin _Ryan
Date: 24 May 99 - 06:48 AM

Roger: I'm doing my best! Here's the first verse, as best as I remember :

When the drums begin to roll, trumpets start to blow
Johhny must not reason why - he know's he's gotta go
Fight for power and glory, Johnny go to war
And Johnny, keep on marching till we forget what you're marching for.

Regards

Subject: RE: No Tears for Jonny(Johnny)?
From: GRACIE'S MOM
Date: 25 May 99 - 07:47 AM

I CAN TELL YOU NO TEARS FOR JOHNNY AND LEMON TREE WERE ON THE SAME RECORDS, IF THIS WILL HELP JOG ANYONES MEMORY. AND THE LABLE WAS YELLOW. THANKS FOR ALL THE HELP= MOM

Subject: RE: No Tears for Jonny(Johnny)?
From: Martin _Ryan
Date: 27 May 99 - 07:20 PM

Last line of the verse above should be:

And if a hundred boys should die - we'll send in a hundred more"

The first version is the last line of the second verse, if you see what I mean!

I'd love to hear any evidence of the Kennedy connection. The song I'm trying to reconstruct was very much an ealry sixties job. I wonder if there's just an association of ideas? Whitcomb had a couple of huge hits ("You turn me on", was the main one, I think). Later wrote a history of rock and roll. Anyway....

Regards

Subject: RE: No Tears for Jonny(Johnny)?
From: Gracie
Date: 21 Aug 99 - 02:50 PM

Well, folks, I found a little bit more- Chad and Jeremy recorded it on the b side of A Summer Song in Spring, 1964; it was also included on their albumn"More Chad and Jeremy," Fall 1966, Capitol records. That is as far asaI have gotten now. Am really just looking for lyrics, now that I know it existed. And want to be certain it is version I remember. Haven't found a lyric site yet that has it thought. Thanks

Subject: RE: No Tears for Jonny(Johnny)?
From: MartinRyan
Date: 15 May 04 - 02:37 PM

Still curious about both the JFK and non-JFK versions....

Regards

Subject: RE: No Tears for Jonny(Johnny)?
From: GUEST,dragon34
Date: 13 Jun 04 - 01:18 PM

My mom used to sing this with me when I was younger, she taught me the harmony. I have no idea of the artist, and I don't think she does either, but I've known the lyrics by heart for as long as I can remember

No tears for Johnny
People don't you cry
no tears for Johnny
Just because he's gonna die
He's gonna be a hero from now until the end of time
So shed no tears for Johnny boy
Marchin' in a thin red line

When the drums begin to roll
Bugles start to blow
Johnny must not reason why
He knows he's got to go
Fight for power and glory
Johnny go to war
And if one hundred boys should die
We can send in a hundred more

No tears for Johnny
People don't you cry
No tears for Johnny
Just because he's gonna die
A lesson for the world to learn
Is one that we all ignore.
So Johnny keep on marchin' till
You forget what you're marchin' for.

Subject: RE: No Tears for Jonny(Johnny)?
From: MartinRyan
Date: 14 Jun 04 - 08:22 AM

dragon34

That's almost exactly as I remember it. As mentioned earlier, the only recording I've heard was of Ian Whitcomb, in the early sixties.

Regards

Subject: Lyr Add: NO TEARS FOR JOHNNY (from Chad & Jeremy)
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 18 Jun 04 - 11:47 PM

Chad and Jeremy recorded NO TEARS FOR JOHNNY on their 1964 album "Yesterday's Gone" (as well as several later compilations). Here's the complete track list:

1. A Summer Song (Metcalfe/Noble/Stuart)
2. Now and Forever (Dean)
3. Dirty Old Town (MacColl)
4. Like I Love You Today (Alquist/Stuart)
5. September in the Rain (Dubin/Warren)
6. Yesterday's Gone (Kidd/Stuart)
7. If She Was Mine (Goldsboro)
8. Willow Weep for Me (Ronell)
9. Only for the Young (?)
10. Too Soon My Love (Alquist)
11. The Truth Often Hurts the Heart (Metcalfe/Noble)
12. No Tears for Johnny (Springfield-Hawker)

It also appears on Ian Whitcomb's "You Turn Me On!/Mod, Mod Music Hall" (2 LPs reissued as one CD).

Lyrics copied from The Official Chad & Jeremy Website:

NO TEARS FOR JOHNNY
(Tom Springfield*)

No tears for Johnny
People, don't you cry
No tears for Johnny
Just because he's gonna die
He's gonna be a hero
From now till the end of time
So shed no tears for Johnny boy
Marching in the thin red line

When the drums begin to roll
Trumpets start to blow
Johnny must not reason why
He knows he's gotta go
Fight for power and glory
Johnny, go to war
And if a hundred boys should die
We can send in a hundred more

No tears for Johnny
People, don't you cry
No tears for Johnny
Just because he's gonna die
A lesson for the world to learn
Is one that we all ignore
So Johnny keep on marching till
We forget what you're marching for

[*Some sources say the songwriter is "Barry Springfield-Hawker," "Springfield-Hawker," or "Springfield/Hawker;" some say "Hal Shaper."]

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: No Tears for Jonny(Johnny)?
From: MartinRyan
Date: 19 Jun 04 - 05:37 AM

Jim

Thanks - good work.

I wasn't aware of the Whitcomb CD - it would bring me back alright!

Regards

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: No Tears for Jonny(Johnny)?
From: Rasener
Date: 19 Jun 04 - 07:40 AM

Well here is a long shot.
I happen to have the CD from PP&M with Lemon Tree on.

The number before Lemon Tree is called Cruel War and I remebered that Johnny was mentioned in it. The lyrice do not seem to match up but you never know.

The cruel war is raging, johnny has to fight
I want to be with him from morning to night.
I want to be with him, it grieves my heart so,
Won't you let me go with you?
No, my love, no.

Tomorrow is sunday, 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 go with you?
No, my love, no.

I'll tie back my hair, men's clothing I'll put on,
I'll pass as your comrade, as we march along.
I'll pass as your comrade, no one will ever know.
Won't you let me go with you?
No, my love, no.

Oh johnny, oh johnny, I fear you are unkind
I love you far better than all of mankind.
I love you far better than words can e're express
Won't you let me go with you?
Yes, my love, yes.

Yes, my love, yes.

The only other one I can think of with Johnny in from PP&M is that lovely song called Gone The Rainbow

Shule, shule, shule-a-roo,
Shule-a-rak-shak, shule-a-ba-ba-coo.
When I saw my Sally Babby Beal,
come bibble in the boo shy Lorey.

Here I sit on Buttermilk Hill;
who could blame me, cry my fill;
Every tear would turn a mill,
Johnny's gone for a soldier.

Shule, shule, shule-a-roo,
Shule-a-rak-shak, shule-a-ba-ba-coo.
When I saw my Sally Babby Beal,
come bibble in the boo shy Lorey.

I sold my flax, I sold my wheel,
to buy my love a sword of steel;
So it in battle he might wield,
Johnny's gone for a soldier.

Shule, shule, shule-a-roo,
Shule-a-rak-shak, shule-a-ba-ba-coo.
When I saw my Sally Babby Beal,
come bibble in the boo shy Lorey.

Oh my baby, oh, my love,
gone the rainbow, gone the dove.
Your father was my only love;
Johnny's gone for a soldier.

Shule, shule, shule-a-roo,
Shule-a-rak-shak, shule-a-ba-ba-coo.
When I saw my Sally Babby Beal,
come bibble in the boo shy Lorey.