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Johnsons Motor Car

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Johnson was a doctor who had a pass to use his motorcar but the IRA wanted to use it to go raid the British. Unfortunately for Johnson he got tricked into appearing at the right place and at the right time so that they could highjack him and his delighful vehicle.


Johnsons Motor Car

Here's a traditional Irish song often sung by Tommy Makem and The Clancy Brothers and many other Irish singers.

           C                                                                G7     C
 'Twas down by Brannigan's Corner, one morning I did stray
                                         F                   C         
 I met a fellow rebel, and to me he did say
                                                            F                    C
 "We've orders from the captain to assemble at Dunbar
                                                                 G7      C      
 But how are we to get there, without a motor car?"
  
         C                                                                  G7           C
 "Oh, Barney dear, be of good cheer, I'll tell you what we'll do
                                                         F              C
 The specials they are plentiful, the I.R.A. are few
                                                     F                      C
 We'll send a wire to Johnson to meet us at Stranlar
                                                                                                                                                                            G7     C
 And we'll give the boys a bloody good ride in Johnson's Motor Car
             
            C                                                                     G7      C 
 When doctor Johnson heard the news he soon put on his shoes
                                                             F                  C
 He says this is an urgent case, there is no time to lose
                                                        F                      C
 He then put on his castor hat and on his breast a star
                                                                                       G7       C
 You could hear the din all through Glenfin of Johnson's Motor Car
 
        C                                                                         G7        C
 But when he got to the railway bridge, some rebels he saw there
                                                                  F                       C
 Old Johnson knew the game was up, for at him they did stare
                                              F                       C    
 He said "I have a permit, to travel near and far"
                                                                             G7     C
 "To hell with your English permit, we want your motor car"
 
             C                                                           G7          C          
 "What will my local brethren think, when they hear the news
                                                                    F                    C
 My car it has been commandeered, by the rebels at Dunluce"
                                                      F                            C
 "We'll give you a receipt for it, all signed by Captain Barr
                                                                                           G7     C
 And when Ireland gets her freedom, boy, you'll get your motor car"
 
 C                                                                G7       C         
 Well we put that car in motion and filled it to the brim
                                                                F                            C
 With guns and bayonets shining which made old Johnson grim
                                                                     F                      C
 And Barney hoisted a Sínn Fein flag, and it fluttered like a star
                                                                                        G7      C
 And we gave three cheers for the I.R.A. and Johnson's Motor Car