Johnny Canuck's The Lad

[Old Sweat]

My wife came across a bit of sheet music for a 1900 patriotic ditty titled "Johnny Canuck's The Lad". It includes a sketch of a Canadiana soldier holding a smoking rifle and whose uniform includes a stetson hat, long puttees, and a US Army surplus bandolier.

The words go:

The month was bright October, the year was ninety-nine, when Jack Canuck first left his home and joined the British line.
He knew he was wanted; never asked the reason why. But took his gun and on the run, bid all his friends good-bye--

'Twas just a few weeks later, when Johnny trod the veldt, and though there was not much of him, he made that "little" felt.
He knew just what was wanted, and resolved to do or die, He took his gun and on the run, he made the Burghers fly.

Our Johnny asked no favours. but tried to keep in front, and every time the scrimmage came why? Johnny bore the brunt.
John Bull looked on in wonder, all amazed at Johnny's pluck. Then raised his hat and cried aloud God bless you Jack Canuck.

Chorus:
Oh! Johnny Canuck's the lad: __ the finest was e'er seen:__ He's like a flash; For nerve and dash His equal there ne'er has been. He does not boast or brag:__ In war he does not lag:__ But he strikes right when-ever a foe is seen.

Hardly a golden oldie; it seems to have been published by a piano merchant, JL Orme of Ottawa and Brockville. Words and music by HH Godfrey.

 

[kkwd]

Here is another song titled "When Johnny Canuck comes home" by the same writer. It doesn't have the interesting cover art of "Johnny Canuck's the lad"

https://archive.org/details/CSM_00732

https://archive.org/details/CSM_00718

 

[Old Sweat]

Thanks for this. Very interesting. Growing up in the Niagara Peninsula in the 40s and 50s, I saw lots of sheet music kept in piano stools.

 

[kkwd]

Here is another along with a article written in 1915. Included is a write up on a blinded Trooper Mulloy but the initials do not match up. His wife's name and his location in Kingston do match.

“I have been favored with a new patriotic song, ‘Johnnie Canuck’s the Boy,’ by Jean Mulloy, wife of Trooper S.W. Mulloy of Kingston, the blind Canadian hero of the South African War. It has a rollicking chorus that goes with a swing and a dash that is sure to make it both a favorite with the public and Tommy on the march. The song is a gift by Mrs Mulloy to the Red Cross Society, Kingston, a generous and kindly act.”
– L.W.H., Musical Canada, February, 1915.

https://archive.org/details/driscoll_section_6_box_165_fl_j_k_johnnie_canucks_the_boy

http://peter-gard-steven.blogspot.com/2008/09/johnnie-canucks-lad-ii.html

https://scholars.wlu.ca/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?referer=https://www.google.com/&httpsredir=1&article=1314&context=cmh

 

[Blackadder1916]

Here's a wider selection of wartime sheet music.
http://wartimecanada.ca/categories/sheet-music?tid=All

Reminded me of my copy of "Songs From The Front and Rear".  As well, due to the (likely) underemployment of some anonymous staff officer, the "Song Book of the 1st Canadian Division" was distributed as the Cold War waned.  My copy of this pocket sized booklet was found in a desk drawer when I was posted to CFE in 1990.  No music, lyrics only.

 

[Old Sweat]

Here is another along with a article written in 1915. Included is a write up on a blinded Trooper Mulloy but the initials do not match up. His wife's name and his location in Kingston do match.

https://archive.org/details/driscoll_section_6_box_165_fl_j_k_johnnie_canucks_the_boy

http://peter-gard-steven.blogspot.com/2008/09/johnnie-canucks-lad-ii.html

https://scholars.wlu.ca/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?referer=https://www.google.com/&httpsredir=1&article=1314&context=cmh

Private LWR Mulloy of A Squadron RCD was blinded in the action that saw Lieutenants Borden and Burch killed. He was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal and later attended university and became a prominent lawyer in Eastern Ontario. See my Our Little Army in the Field: The Canadian in South Africa, 1899-1902 pp 117-118.